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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
NATURAL RESOURCES SERVICE
RESOURCE INFORMATION UNIT
BOW REGION
ECOLOGICAL LAND CLASSIFICATION
OF
BIG HILL SPRINGS PROVINCIAL PARK, ALBERTA
Prepared For:
Natural Resources Service - Parks
Alberta Environmental Protection
Bow Region
By:
Ian Sutherland
Environmental Service
Alberta Environmental Protection
Bow Region
June, 1998
Publication No.: T/437
ISBN: 0-7785-0418-2
TABLE OF CONTENTS
1.0 INTRODUCTION 1
2.0 STUDY AREA DESCRIPTION 2
2.1 Location 2
2.2 Land Use History 2
2.3 Climate 3
2.4 Hydrology 3
2.5 Physiography and Bedrock Geology 4
2.6 Surficial Geology and Soils 4
2.7 Vegetation 6
2.8 Wildlife 7
3.0 METHODS 8
3.1 Field Survey 8
3.2 Data Analysis 8
3.3 Ecological Land Classification and Mapping 9
3.4 Ecosite Legend 9
4.0 RESULTS 10
4.1 Ecological Land Classification 10
4.2 Vegetation Community Types 10
Aspen Woodland 11
Balsam Poplar or Balsam Poplar - White Spruce Woodland 13
Shrubland - Willow dominated 16
Mixed Shrublands 19
Grasslands 23
Modified Grasslands 26
Grasslands -Wet meadows 29
4.3 Significant Plant Species 31
4.4 Significant Vegetation Cover Changes 3 1
5.0 ISSUES AND RECOMMENDATIONS 32
6.0 REFERENCES 35
Appendix 1: List of Vegetation Species
Appendix 2: List of Wildlife Observations
Appendix 3: Ecological Land Classification
LIST OF MAPS
1 . Study Area Location
2. Map of Big Hill Springs Provincial Park
3. Changes in Vegetation Communities 1972-1997
4. Ecological Land Classification (in rear pouch)
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ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Keith Ainsley (Resource Data Division, Edmonton) - project planning, field data
collection;
Beth Cornish (Resource Data Division, Edmonton) - vegetation community typing;
Fine Zweier (Environmental Service, Southern East Slopes Region) - field data
collection;
Margaret Bradley (Environmental Service, SES Region) - cartography;
Joyce Gould (Recreation & Protected Areas Division, Natural Resource Service) -
vegetation inventory planning;
Rod Gow (District Ranger, NRS - SES Region) - project data; chief liaison;
Wanda Nadasde-Hogg (Park Ranger, NRS - SES Region) - project liaison;
Lyle Lambert (Seasonal Ranger, NRS - SES Region) - field data collection;
Jock Forster (Environmental Service, SES Region) - groundwater consulting;
Ebe Lorberg (Water Sciences Br., NRS, Edmonton) - groundwater consulting;
Steve Kassai and Olga Droppo (Calgary Field Naturalist Society) - wildlife data.
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1.0 INTRODUCTION
Big Hill Springs Provincial Park was established in 1957 to conserve a unique coulee
environment and spring-fed creek system (AEP - Park File). In years since, a number of
specialists and organizations have documented various aspects of the Park’s resources
including archaeological - cultural ( Glenbow Foundation; University of Calgary: Park
File ), ecological (Wallis and Wershler 1972 ), hydrogeological ( Curcio 1967, 1970;
Bomeuf 1983; Houseknecht 1984; Komex 1998), botanical (AEP 1994), and wildlife
(Calgary Field Naturalist’s Society).
The Park’s landscape features contribute significantly to under-represented Natural
History Themes in the Foothills Parkland Natural Subregion (Report 3: Alberta Protected
Areas System Analysis [1994]; Alberta Environmental Protection, Edmonton).
A Park Management Plan (AEP 1996), currently at draft stage, raises a number of
conservation issues and objectives, many of which are addressed in this update and
synthesis of biophysical information, including:
• preservation of natural environment, features, species, and habitat;
• natural history interpretation;
• water quality and quantity;
• creekbank management;
• improvement of facilities and infrastructure (e.g. picnic sites, roads, trails);
• accommodate recreational activities;
• acquisition of select adjacent parcels of land;
• boundaries and fencing.
In this context, the overall objectives of this study were to:
• Complete a review of existing biophysical information;
• Conduct a biophysical inventory to current standards and scope;
• Conduct an analysis of any significant changes.
Secondary objectives included:
• Obtain new aerial photography of the Park and surrounding lands;
• Conduct an intensive baseline study of the springs and associated features;
• Make management recommendations.
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2.0 STUDY AREA DESCRIPTION
2.1 Location
Big Hill Springs Provincial Park is located in the Big Hill Creek valley 15 km north of
Cochrane in the north half of Section 29, Township 26, Range 3, west of the Fifth
Meridian. It is accessible from Secondary Highway #567, east of the Junction with
Highway #22 (Map 1).
It is situated, for the most part, in a side-coulee which leads from the Big Hill Creek
valley and covers 32 hectares (AEP 1996) or 79 acres. Presently, the Park is distributed
over two disjunct parcels of land - the main part established in 1957, and a 6-hectare
parcel in the northwest comer of Section 29 (identified as the “northwest parcel” in this
report) at the head of the coulee, acquired recently to preserve the primary springs. The
two parcels are separated by about 150 meters of private land (Map 2). A full legal land
survey has not been conducted to this point, and boundaries, fencelines, and area
measurements are therefore approximate.
Biogeographically, the Park is in the Foothills Parkland Natural Subregion, at the
northern end.
2.2 Land Use History
A constant source of water has long attracted people and wildlife to the Big Hill Springs
area. Plains Indians hunted bison (evidently using the “jump” method) and camped near
the springs (the AEP Park File documents findings of bone fragments and lithic tools).
Lamoureux (1983) lists a “major” kill site and evidence of pictographs at Big Hill
Springs, and “maybe” a major jump on the east face of Big Hill Springs coulee.
Ranchers arrived in the 1880’s to graze and water their cattle. [ An anecdotal, but
detailed history from this point to about 1970 is included in the Park File (AEP). ]
Industrial interest in the springs and creek began before the turn of the century: a
creamery was in operation from 1891 to 1910, and a trout hatchery was tested in the
1951-1956 period.
Recreation, mainly picnicking became popular in the 1920’s and today is now the prime
use of the area around the springs. Big Hill Springs Provincial Park was established in
1957. Increased visitor volume, heavy use, and environmental degradation into the
1970’s raised concerns among park officials, and was the impetus for early biophysical
data collection and management planning (Alberta Recreation and Parks 1988; AEP Park
File). In 1976 the Park was proposed for designation as a Preservation Park, and many
conservation initiatives were tabled (Blogorodow 1976). A reconfiguration to “day use
only” began in 1978-79 with the removal of an array of visitor services and facilities
(park ranger, campground, playgrounds, roads, picnic sites, and electricity) and
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reclamation of the sites. Day use exploration by visitors has affected the Park in terms of
compacted , eroded, and denuded trails and paths (Alberta Recreation and Parks 1988).
Today the facilities maintained include a parking lot, small picnic site, toilets, garbage
bin, water well, and improved trails and footbridges.
Cattle ranching is the main land use in the surrounding area and at some sites within the
Park under arrangements with a local rancher.
2.3 Climate
The Parkland Natural Region forms a biogeoclimatic transition zone between the drier
grasslands of the plains and the moister coniferous forests of the Rocky Mountains.
Mean annual precipitation is approximately 500mm in the northern part. Mean May to
September precipitation is 290mm. The mean January temperature is -10°C and the
mean July temperature is 14°C. The mean May to September temperature is 12-13°C and
the frost-free period averages 90 days (Achuff 1994).
Conditions specific to the town of Cochrane, 8km to the southwest, are:
Temperature - Seasonal Averages
Jan. -11.8°C; April 3.3°C; July16.4°C; Oct. 5.5°C
Frost Free Days
112
Annual Precipitation
50cm ; Rain: 28cm
Hours of Sunshine/year
2314
(from Town of Cochrane - Website Page 1997)
2.4 Hydrology
The hydrology and associated landforms are very distinctive and comprise a primary
natural history theme of the Park (Lamoureux 1983). The Park is situated at the
confluence of the spring-fed, first-order Big Hill Springs Creek and the somewhat larger
Big Hill Creek , which flows down a glacial meltwater outlet from the township to the
north, southwards to the Bow River at Cochrane (Map 1). Surficial drainage of the
surrounding benchlands is either towards the ravine or into Big Hill Creek valley itself.^
The Park is located in a groundwater discharge area, creating many springs and seeps, as
well as unique hydrological conditions and features. The springs provide lower Big Hill
Creek with its year-round source of water (Lamoureux 1983). The hydrology of the
springs and Big Hill Springs Creek is treated more thoroughly in Komex (1998).
^ Use of names and spelling of these creeks and valleys has been inconsistent. National (i.e. NTS) and
provincial records and maps indicate Bighill Creek, but the spring-fed creek is officially unnamed (Alberta
Environmental Protection, Resource Data Division; NAD83 Listing of Named Geographic Features
1997/02/12). The Park Management Plan (1996; in Draft) itself variously uses Big Spring Creek/coulee
and Big Hill Spring Creek/valley; and Big Hill valley. Names used in this report (as per Alberta Recreation
and Parks 1988) reflect widely-used colloquial versions.
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2.5 Physiography and Bedrock Geology
Big Hill Springs Provincial Park is located at the western edge of the Interior Plains
physiographic region where it meets the foothills of the Cordillera. The Interior Plains
are composed of relatively undisturbed Phanerozoic sedimentary rocks, and in the Park
the uppermost rock units are continental deposits of the Tertiary Porcupine Hills
Formation overlying the Tertiary-Cretaceous Paskapoo Formation. These sediments
were deposited as a result of erosion of the uplifting Rocky Mountains and foothills
(during the late Cretaceous to early Eocene), and eastward transport of the sediments to
form alluvial fans, stream, and lake sediments of the Alberta Syncline. As the sediments
were deposited, the marine conditions that had dominated North America up to the end of
the early Cretaceous were gradually replaced by continental conditions.
The (sedimentary) lithology of the Porcupine Hills Formation is sandstone (greywackes
and sub-greywackes) and siltstone with minor shale. Significant outcrops are visible
along ridges and valley walls throughout the area. The formation is composed of detrital
quartz, chert, non- volcanic rock fragments and clastic carbonates (Yoon 1977; Park File).
2.6 Surficial Geology and Soils
During the Pleistocene Epoch, the Lamentide continental ice sheet advanced southward
firom the Hudson Bay and coalesced with the eastward-advancing Cordilleran ice sheet
west of Calgary in the Big Hill Springs area. Deposition of glacial drift (till) and
subsequent glacio-fluvial erosion modified the pre-existing land surface (Yoon 1977:
Park File).
During glacial retreat about 10-12, 000 years ago, meltwater from the decaying ice
margin to the north and east flowed into local topographic lows and deeply eroded the till
blanket and soft underlying sandstone bedrock to create the Big Hill and Big Hill Springs
coulees (Moran 1986; Alberta Recreation and Parks 1988).^ The massive erosional
process exposed underground aquifers, creating springs at a number of sites (Alberta
Recreation and Parks 1988).
Today, the Park’s complex and dramatic landscape can be considered composed of four
primary elements:
• Till-blanketed Uplands. Moran (1986) describes this area as part of a larger unit of
Spy Hill Drift (pebble-loam till) over the Porcupine Hills Formation sandstone. Found
along upper south bank of the Big Hill Springs coulee, and extending to the south, the
^ “Coulee” is used synonymously and interchangeably with “ravine” and “valley” in most instances here.
According to Caboue (1996) it’s a western Canadian term for a steep-sided prairie valley, but also refers to
a broad-bottomed one of glacial meltwater origin, or to v-shaped gullies caused by more recent erosion.
4
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moderately sloping, undulating benchland is about 1265m AMSL. Soils found at
benchland sites were were fine to medium-textured (clayey), mainly weak-profiled
Calcareous Black Chernozems, and often gravelly-cobbly.
• Glaciofluvial Terrace. The north bench above Big Hill Springs coulee is a
glaciofluvial terrace about 30 meters below the morainal benchlands of Section 32 to the
north."^ Of till parent material like the surrounding benchlands, soils found were fine to
medium textured (clayey), mainly weak-profiled Calcareous Black Chernozems, and
often gravelly-cobbly.^ Orthic Black Chernozems may be found in cultivated sites (tame
pastures).
• Coulee Walls. The banks range from about 65m high in Big Hill valley to 15m high
near the upper end of Big Hill Springs coulee, and range from 35-80% slope.^ Moran
(1986) describes them as eroded bedrock outcrops of the non-marine Porcupine Hills
formation, although at Big Hill Springs they are largely mantled with residuum,
colluvium, or thin unconsolidated till veneers (Turchenek and Fawcett 1994). The
dramatic, near- vertical bedrock face on the east bank of Big Hill Creek coulee towers just
above - and outside - the Park’s east boundary. Other smaller bedrock exposures are
found in the Big Hill Springs ravine, mostly too small to map or indiscernible on
airphotos. Slope failures (slumps and creep) are evident at many steeper sites, attesting to
the generally weak bank stability afforded by the bedrock and till mantles in the area.
Significant ecological differences occur between the north and south-facing slopes in the
highly incised Big Hill Springs Creek ravine. Slope, aspect, angle, and slope position
are key determinants. Soils found on the heavily vegetated north-facing slope included
primarily medium-textured (clay loams) and weakly developed or eroded Calcareous
Black Chernozems with some Orthic Eutric Brunisols. On the south-facing bank, soil
development appears minimal due to gradient, soil drainage, and insolation. Medium to
coarse-textured Orthic Regosols were found on steep middle and upper slopes, and
medium-textured Calcareous Dark Brown Chernozems on shallower, more vegetated
lower slopes. In the Big Hill coulee, with moderately vegetated banks oriented east and
west, soils on lower and mid-slopes tend towards Chemozemic (e.g. weakly-developed or
eroded Orthic Blacks) in mainly fine to medium-textured colluvium.
^ Soils nomenclature and terminology is according to the Canadian System of Soil Classification - 2"^^
Edition: by Agriculture Canada, Pub. No. 1646 (1987).
An identical - and intersecting - feature is found above the east boundary of the Park in Big Hill Coulee.
Bedrock control (i.e. fault-lines) likely accounts for the remarkable linearity of their outer risers or scarps.
^ Turchenek and Fawcett (1994) describe a landscape unit with glaciolacustrine veneer and some poorly-
drained soils (Dunvargan-Maycroft) along the back of the terrace, extending slightly into the Park at points
near the escarpment along the stepped northern boundary.
^ Lamoureux (1983) states that Big Hill coulee is the most deeply-incised glacial meltwater channel in the
region, and is recorded as an Environmentally Significant Area for this and other biophysical reasons.
5
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• Valley Bottoms. The floor of the Big Hill coulee is about 1200m AMSL, with relief
nearly level at 2.5% towards the east (Big Hill Creek) and south. Moran (1986) and
Turchenek and Fawcett (1994) classify this area as a silty-clayey fluvial floodplain.
Although MacMillan (1987) calls the parent material here “recent lacustrine” in a
depressional area, the specific physical characteristics remain undisputed.^
Coarse fluvial deposits from Big Hill Springs Creek overlie most of the Big Hill coulee
within the Park boundary. A classic raised alluvial fan has formed, deflecting the
normally meandering Big Hill Creek with comparatively erosion-resistant materials, over
time, against the east coulee wall.^ Fluvial gravels in this feature are concentrated
upslope (underlying the vicinity of the parking lot), and finer sediments downslope,
towards the creek. Fans have formed at the bases of other nearby ravines and draws to
the south, down the valley, and influenced the course of Big Hill Creek at those sites.
The forested Big Hill Springs ravine bottom, downcut in the old spillway, rises more
steeply, about 5%, to the northwest and has numerous relict channels, terraces, and tufa
deposits (Komex 1998). Soil types found in depressional sites like ravine floors reflect
the effects of relatively fine-textured fluvial parent materials, low gradient, moist water
regime, and typically lush vegetation. Medium-textured colluvium (at the edges) and
alluvium (in the floodplain) are found in both valleys. Primary alluvial soils are Humic
and Cumulic Regosols, sometimes gleyed, and Calcareous or Orthic Black Chernozems
at raised and grassier sites.
Elevation within the Park boundary ranges from 1 198 meters (AMSL) at the banks of Big
Hill Creek, to 1272 meters on the highest benchlands above Big Hill Springs ravine.
2.7 Vegetation
The Foothills Parkland Natural Subregion generally forms a narrow transitional band
between the grasslands of the Foothills Fescue Subregion and the forests of the Montane
Subregion (within the Chemozemic soil regime). Desiccation by wind and low
precipitation appear to be the main factors determining the extent of this Subregion.
Affected by topography and climate, there is a rapid transition from grassland with
groves, to forest with grassy parks, to closed deciduous forest (Achuff 1994). This
northern and largest segment of the Foothills Parkland is called the Black Diamond
Upland ecodistrict, and characterized vegetatively as cleared land and shrub (Strong
1995). Strong (1992) and others contend that European settlement of the Parkland
Natural Region reduced the normal frequency of fire, allowing former grasslands to be
^ Cauboue et al (1996) defines the sequential events of lacustrine deposition followed by partial reworking
by fluvial processes as “fluviolacustrine”, appropriate where Big Hill Creek has meandered through.
^ Airphoto interpretation suggests that, under historical flow and deposition regimes, Big Hill Springs
Creek should gradually migrate westwards, along the roadway, and that the confluence with Big Hill Creek
will move northwards around the expanding fan. No changes in streamcourse were apparent between the
1985 and 1997 airphotos.
6
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encroached by aspen and deciduous shrubs from the foothills. Today, little native
grassland exists, having been encroached or replaced by crops and tame forage species.
Despite the extensive agriculture in the area. Big Hill coulee remains integral to a linear
system of diverse green space environments extending from the Bow Valley to Highway
2 (which includes other coulees, valleys, and an abandoned railway line). Lamoureux
(1983) recommends it as an “Environmental Priority Area”, and AEP (1997) identifies it
as an extensive Provincial Environmentally Significant Area (ESA).
This vicinity near Calgary has recorded some of the most northerly occurrences of
Lupinus spp. (lupines), Danthonia spp. (oat grass), and Festuca idahoensis (bluebunch
fescue) (Achuff 1994).
The Park, at some sites used heavily by visitors prior to 1979, has undergone significant
artificial re vegetation with native and introduced species. Lin (1980) describes
landscaping, sodding, seeding, tree planting (aspen and white spruce), shrub planting
(“golden” willow and dogwood), maintenance, and other reclamation / rehabilitation
activities during 1979-80. A large grove of Caragana arborescens (common caragana)
and some Syringa villosa (late lilac) remains at the reclaimed site of a former park
warden’s cabin. AEP (1994) notes the occasional presence of honeysuckle cultivars, and
two widespread tame forage species, Medicago sativa (alfalfa) and Phleum pratense
(timothy), probably spread from nearby pastures by winds and cattle.
2.8 Wildlife
An extensive list of animal species, primarily avifauna, observed in the Park can be found
in Wallis and Wershler (1972).
Spalding (1980) states that the Richardson’s ground squirrel (also inventoried by Wallis
and Wershler) is the most frequently seen mammal in the area, and that mink have also
been observed. According to both references, common birds include the Savannah
sparrow, Cedar Waxwing, Western Meadowlark, and Common Yellowthroat. Other
noteworthy birds in the vicinity of the Park are the Great Blue Heron, Cooper’s Hawk,
Prairie Falcon and Ruffed Grouse.^ Of these, the Cooper’s Hawk is considered rarest
(Semenchuk 1992). Recent sightings of 132 bird species by members of the Calgary
Field Naturalist’s Society in and near the Park are listed in Appendix 2. At least 21 of
the species were apparently breeding in the area (evidenced by nests, fledglings, breeding
pairs, and courtship and distraction displays). Two species listed are endangered: Piping
Plover and Peregrine Falcon. Some mammal, reptile, and insect observations are also
listed in Appendix 2. Beaver activity (new dam and lodge), not mentioned in reference
materials, was observed just beyond the southeast comer during field checks in May,
1998. The dam backed-up Big Hill Creek in the Park.
^ Draw sites (small, shallow ravines) on the southwest side of the Park, were reported in 1974 to have up to
three grouse leeks (AEP-Park File).
7
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Lamoureux (1983) suggests Rainbow trout or Rainbow-Cutthroat hybrids may be present
in Big Hill Creek as far upstream as the Park, since populations have been noted less than
a mile to the south in wider reaches.
The Parkland has experienced significant habitat “fragmentation” from agricultural
expansion. This has especially impacted forest-dwelling birds (AEP 1997).
3.0 METHODS
3.1 Field Survey
Initial stratification of the study area and selection of field sample sites was performed on
1:5000 panchromatic aerial photos taken on May 1, 1985 (i.e. leaf-off). Airphoto
interpretation delineated ecological units that were distinctive by their geomorphic and
vegetation patterns. Representative field sites were selected to identify and document, on
standard field plot forms, the range of landform, soil, and vegetation conditions across the
study area.
Field survey was carried out in early July 1997 (with some follow-up fieldwork in late
September) according to methods and guidelines in the Ecological Land Survey Site
Description Manual (CAPAF 1994). A total of 29 diverse sites throughout Big Hill
Springs Provincial Park were visited on foot and documented.
A study of the Park’s hydrogeological characteristics and features, including the springs
and creek was conducted at the same time under contract by Komex International Inc. of
Calgary as a special component of the overall biophysical inventory. The study report is
referenced as Komex, 1998.
Plant taxonomy follows Moss (1983) with common and scientific names referencing the
Alberta Plants and Fungi Master Species List and Species Group Checklists (AEP 1993).
Soil and landform terminology and classification used in this study are from CAPAF
(1994), Cauboue et al (1996), and the Canadian System of Soil Classification (CSSC) by
the Agriculture Canada Expert Committee on Soil Survey (1987).
3.2 Data Analysis
A list of 126 species of vascular plants (excludes mosses and lichens) was compiled from
field sampling, and is included as Appendix 1 . The list is generally consistent with
those in AEP (1994) and Wallis and Wershler (1972) . Differences could be attributed to
the number and variety of sites visited as well as to plant phenology during each survey,.
These vegetation data were analysed and grouped into community types according to the
“tabular method” described in Chapter 9 of Mueller-Dombois and Ellenberg (1974). This
8
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method of floristic classification emphasizes dominance, constancy, and diagnostic or
differentiating species in determining plant associations.
3.3 Ecological Land Classification and Mapping
The ELC is a hierarchical landscape classification and mapping system that subdivides
the land surface into units with similar environmental / biophysical components. The
map units that result from this process are characterized by distinctive recurring patterns
of surficial material, landform, soil and vegetation. It serves, by means of data
interpretation and analysis, to describe typical conditions and to generalize or simplify
the landscape into units that may receive the same management.
New aerial photography of Big Hill Springs Provincial Park was acquired in June and
July 1997 at scales of 1:5000 and 1:10 000. Subsequently, the ELC polygons were
transferred from the 1985 photos to the new ones, with minor changes according to
differences in vegetative cover evident on the 1997 coverage. Terrain, soils and
vegetation data from the field sample sites were synthesized and used to develop the
ELC scheme and to refine the polygon boundaries.
Map unit descriptions appearing on the ecosite (ELC) map (Map 4) represent the Ecosite
level of the hierarchical classification system. This structure embraces the over-arching
biophysical characteristics documented for the Natural Regions and Subregions (Achuff
1994), for their more local Ecodistricts (Strong 1995) and from airphoto and field data.
3.4 Ecosite Legend
Individual ecosite classes are described in spreadsheet format in Appendix 3. The study
area lies within the Foothills Parkland Natural Subregion (#14) , and more specifically
the Black Diamond Upland (BLA) ecodistrict. Parent materials, the prime parameter
used in delineating ecosites, are coded as follows:
A Anthropogenic: Human-made or human-modified materials or features.
C Colluvium: Unconsolidated materials moved by gravity; often at the base of a
slope. Slopewash deposits or veneers are included.
X (in association with C: “CX”) Residuum: The product of in situ decomposition
(e.g. weathering) of rock.
F Fluvial: Related to streamflow and its associated erosional / depositional
processes and features.
FL Fluvio-Lacustrine: Lacustrine (or glaciolacustrine) deposits that have been
partially re-worked by fluvial processes.
GF Glacio-Fluvial: Pertaining to meltwater streams from wasting glacier ice and
especially to the deposits and landforms produced by the streams.
M Morainal (till): Loosely-consolidated rock debris formerly on or in a glacier, that
accumulated in place as the surface ice was removed by ablation.
9
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Numbers following the parent material identifier, such as 1,2,3, etc. represent specific
combinations of landscape characteristics (slope steepness, drainage, soil subgroups,
biota) occuring on the parent materials that more precisely describe the ecosite. Decimal
numbers used in the Colluvial ecosite 2 show sub-categories primarily related to the
composition and slope position of extensive and highly- varied Mixed Shrub
communities in the Park.^^
The slash (“/”) marks used in the Vegetation Community descriptions separate vertical
strata (e.g. canopy / shrubs / ground cover), and dashes (“-“) are between dominant and
sub-dominant (or in some cases co-dominant) species.
Slope classes, and soil subgroups and textures follow the Canadian System of Soil
Classification. The seven soil drainage classes follow the CanSIS Manual for Describing
Soils in the Field (Land Resource Research Institute 1983), and are reproduced in
CAP AF (1994).
4.0 RESULTS
4.1 Ecological Land Classification
Map 4 shows a delineation of ecological units in Big Hill Springs Provincial Park
distinguished primarily by geomorphic parameters (site, drainage, soils, etc.) and
secondly by vegetation communities.
4.2 Vegetation Community Types
In most respects, the vegetative species and communities of the study area conform to
those documented for the Foothills Parkland: Agropyron spp. (wheat grass) - Poa spp.
(bluegrass) - Danthonia parryi (Parry’s oat grass) communities dominate grasslands,
with a large diversity of forb and grass species. Populus tremuloides (aspen) is generally
dominant in the upland forests, with Populus balsamifera (balsam poplar) and Picea
glauca (white spruce) occurring on shadier and/or moister sites. Distinctive in the area,
willow groveland dominated by Salix bebbiana (Bebb’s willow) (Achuff 1994) occurs in
a variety of environments at Big Hill Springs ranging from medium-textured fluvial and
fluvio-lacustrine material on imperfectly to poorly-drained sites as found in the coulee
bottoms, to drier till-blanketed upland sites.
At this level of mapping, a full ecosite code would incorporate the Natural Subregion and ecodistrict
identifiers (e.g. 14BLA.C2.1). An abbreviated version (e.g. C2.1) is shown on the ELC legend and map
as all the ecosites here are in the same ecodistrict.
10
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Field data from the 29 sites were classified into 25 different vegetation community types
(4 sites were essentially duplicates), which can be grouped into generic categories of two
forest types, two shrubland types, and three grassland types.
Vegetation community types are integral to the character of an ecosite. Although
community types and landform units have typical associations, they, as with individual
species, range from those occupying landscape-specific habitat to those common across
a variety of environments. This is reflected in the Community Type descriptions that
follow, and in a species-site list. Appendix 1.
The slash (“/”) mark shown in the community type nomenclature separates vertical strata
(e.g. canopy / shrubs / ground cover), and dashes (“-“) are between dominant and sub-
dominant (or in some cases co-dominant) species, by stratum. More typical conditions
(e.g. in a range of slopes, moisture regimes, or set of soil subgroups) are named first in
the community description tables. Proportions of a community’s cover types can vary
significantly between sites depending on local conditions.
Aspen Woodland
Three aspen community types were sampled in this study, representing the range that
may be found mainly on the morainal uplands or colluvial coulee walls in the south part
of the Park. Smaller and isolated stands were planted at the picnic sites, and can also be
found on levees and banks along the lower reach of Big Hill Springs Creek. Shrubby
understories, reflecting varying moisture and nutriest regimes, consist primarily of cow
parsnip, prickly rose, with occasional snowberry.
4.2.1 Aspen / Cow parsnip
Below the Big Hill Springs coulee crest, in a mesic transition zone between the morainal
aspen groves and the white spruce and balsam poplar-dominated units lower down, an
aspen / cow parsnip community has established. About 5% white spruce are present in
the overstory and understory, signifying the onset of a spruce-dominated climax
community. Soil moisture may be retained (i.e. infiltration impeded) due to a shallow
depth to bedrock.
Big Hill Springs Provincial Park Community Type: Aspen / Cow parsnip
Sites: #23
Ecosites: C3
11
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Moisture regime: mesic
Nutrient regime: permesotrophic
Soil drainage: moderate
Soil subgroups: O.BL
Slopes: 31-45%
Slope position, Aspect: Crest-Upper, NE
Predominant / key species:
Scientific name
Common Name
% Cover
Trees:
Populus tremuloides
aspen
30
Picea glauca
white spruce
5
Shrubs:
Ribes oxyacanthoides
northern gooseberry
5
Forbs:
Heracleum lanatum
Viola canadensis
cow parsnip
western Canada violet
70
15
Gram-
Elymus innovatus
hairy wild rye
15
inoids:
Poa pratensis
Kentucky bluegrass
15
4.2.2 Aspen / Prickly rose
Mature to old serai stands of aspen occupy areas adjacent to the aspen / cow parsnip
communities. They occur on better-drained soils along the south side of the Park in
morainal and colluvial parent materials. No significant understory has developed, and a
variety of shrubs, mainly prickly rose and scattered white spruce, dominate this stratum.
Big Hill Springs Provincial Park Community Type: Aspen / Prickly rose i
Sites: #6,22
Ecosites: C3, M2
Moisture regime: mesic
Nutrient regime: mesotrophic
Soil drainage: moderate - well
Soil subgroups: CA.BL
Slopes: 10-45%
Slope position. Aspect: Mid, NE
Predominant / key species:
Scientific name
Common Name
% Cover
Trees:
Populus tremuloides
aspen
45-60
Rosa acicularis
prickly rose
20-35
Shrubs:
Ribes oxyacanthoides
northern gooseberry
5-10
Rubus idaeus
wild red raspberry
5-10
Symphoricarpos albus
snowberry
3-8
Forbs:
Viola canadensis
western Canada violet
10-25
Pyrola asarifolia
common pink wintergreen
1-3
12
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hairy wild rye
1-15
inoids:
Poa pratensis
Kentucky bluegrass
5-10
4.2.3 Aspen / Snowberry-Prickly rose
Evidence of brush encroachment is found on grassy sites near the southwest edge of the
Park above Big Hill Springs coulee. Here the aspen is open, short, and somewhat gnarly
suggesting environmental stresses caused by insolation, moisture deficits, and
competition with brush species. Other nearby aspen communities on till exhibit similar
soil characteristics (horizons, thicknesses, textures) but here we have a typical grassland
soil. Snowberry, an increaser, is most common in dry habitats, and its berries are toxic.
Big Hill Springs Provincial Park Community Type: Aspen / Snowberry - Prickly rose
Sites: #20
Ecosites: M2
Moisture regime: submesic
Nutrient regime: mesotrophic
Soil drainage: moderate
Soil subgroups: CA.BL
Slopes: 2-5%
Slope position, Aspect: Upper, SE
Predominant / key species:
Scientific name
Common Name
% Cover
Trees:
Populus tremuloides
aspen
20
Symphoricarpos albus
snowberry
30
Shrubs:
Rosa acicularis
prickly rose
25
Ribes oxyacanthoides
northern gooseberry
5
Forbs:
Heracleum lanatum
cow parsnip
2
Thalictrum venulosum
veiny meadow rue
2
Gram-
Poa pratensis
Kentucky bluegrass
20
inoids:
Elymus innovatus
hairy wild rye
3
Balsam Poplar or Balsam Poplar - White Spruce Woodland
Balsam poplar is associated with typically moister habitats than is aspen, such as
depressions and fluvial terraces and floodplains. In the study area, ideal environments
are found along Big Hill Springs Creek and the north-facing coulee wall above it. White
spruce often shares the habitat, tending in many sites to succeed balsam poplar with a
shade-tolerant climax community. The 3 communities described below are at differing
successional stages, evidenced by the proportions of balsam and spruce.
13
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4.2.4 Balsam poplar / Cow parsnip
This community is found along the Big Hill Springs Creek floodplain and coulee floor,
from the picnic site west to mid-ravine, where white spruce become mixed in
progressively shadier sites. Much of the area has a hummocky or terraced microrelief
(created by fluvial erosion and deposition over time) creating a myriad of moist
depressions and drier knolls. The balsam poplar favour the comparatively dry sites here,
growing to over 20m, and the cow parsnip tend to the depressions. The Chernozem soil
near the mouth of the coulee suggests this area was once grassed, perhaps used as
pasture, and encroached by balsam poplar with a change in land use. No significant
spruce understory was found at the sample site, however a few young aspen were noted.
The Viola, Geranium, and Delphinium are common to moist woods.
Big Hill Springs Provincial Park Community Type: Balsam poplar / Cow parsnip
Sites: #24
Ecosites: F5
Moisture regime: mesic
Nutrient regime: permesotrophic
Soil drainage: well
Soil subgroups: O.BL
Slopes: 2-5%
Slope position, Aspect: Depression, SE
Predominant / key species:
Scientific name
Common Name
% Cover
T rees:
Populus balsamifera
balsam poplar
35
Shrubs:
Populus balsamifera
balsam poplar
5
Ribes oxyacanthoides
northern gooseberry
5
Heracleum lanatum
cow parsnip
15
Forbs:
Viola canadensis
western Canada violet
8
Delphinium glaucum
tall larkspur
5
Geranium richardsonii
wild white geranium
5
Gram-
Poa pratensis
Kentucky bluegrass
10
inoids:
Bromus inermis
awnless brome
8
4.2.5 Balsam poplar - White spruce / Willow / Horsetail
This mixedwood community is found associated with a variety of relatively mosit sites:
(1) in the shady riparian zone on the coulee floor where overbank flooding of Big Hill
Springs Creek and saturated soil is common, (2) sites further upstream and closer to the
creek than the Balsam / Cow parsnip community described previously, and (3) north-
14
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facing coulee banks in the northwest parcel. Spruce may be expected to replace the serai
Balsam poplar in drier sites. Species data below are from Site #13; #19 is similar.
Big Hill Springs Provincial Park Community Type: Balsam poplar - White spruce / Willow /
Horsetail
Sites: #13,19
Ecosites: F5, C4
Moisture regime: subhydric - mesic
Nutrient regime: permesotrophic
Soil drainage: very poor - well
Soil subgroups: R.HG, CA.BL
Slopes: 0-70%
Slope position, Aspect: Depression, lower-
mid; N
Predominant / key species:
Scientific name
Common Name
% Cover
Trees:
Populus balsamifera
Picea glauca
balsam poplar
white spruce
10
10
Shrubs:
Salix bebbiana
Populus balsamifera
Ribes oxyacanthoides
beaked willow
balsam poplar
northern gooseberry
25
5
3
Forbs:
Equisetum arvense
Aster conspicuus
Epilobium angustifolium
Veronica americana
common horsetail
showy aster
common fireweed
American brooklime
20
5
3
2
Gram-
inoids:
Carex spp.
Poa pratensis
Catabrosa aquatica
sedge
Kentucky bluegrass
brook grass
15
5
3
4.2.6 White Spruce - Balsam poplar / Hairy wild rye
This community type is found at mid- to lower-slopes of the north-facing wall of Big Hill
Springs ravine. The proportion of white spruce in the community is greater to the west
up the ravine, and up-slope. The balsam poplar component is typical of lower slopes,
while aspen would be found instead on drier uplands. It exemplifies a mature climax
forest community for the study area.
Big Hill Springs Provincial Park Community Type: White spruce - Balsam poplar / Hairy wild
rye
Sites: #7
Ecosites: C5
15
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1 Moisture regime: submesic
Nutrient regime: mesotrophic
Soil drainage: well
Soil subgroups: CA.BL, O.EB
Slopes: 46-70%
Slope position, Aspect: Mid, NE
Predominant / key species:
Scientific name
Common Name
% Cover
Picea glauca
white spruce
35
Trees:
Populus balsamifera
balsam poplar
10-15*
Populus tremuloides
aspen
10
Picea glauca
white spruce
3
Sheperdia canadensis
buffalo berry
7
Shrubs:
Ribes oxyacanthoides
northern gooseberry
7
Rosa acicularis
prickly rose
6
Symphoricarpos aibus
snowberry
5
Rubus idaeus
wild red raspberry
5
Forbs:
Aster conspicuus
showy aster
7
Vioia canadensis
western Canada violet
5
Gram-
Elymus innovatus
hairy wild rye
25
inoids:
Poa pratensis
Kentucky bluegrass
10
* 1 0% denotes canopy; 1 5% denotes understory
Shrubland - Willow dominated
Willow {Salix spp.) occurs in a wide range of landscapes or ecological units such as
woods, thickets, riverbanks, wetlands, and disturbed sites. They provide browse and
bedding for herbivores. At Big Hill Springs, a recurring species is Salix bebbiana
(beaked willow) encountered in wetland as well as upland sites, and in poor to rich
nutrient regimes.^ ^ Willow is usually found here with secondary shrub species in areas
once grassland and under a grazing regime, establishing first in drainages before
spreading.
4.2.7 Willow - Cinquefoil / Bluegrass
This wetland community of l-2m high willows straddles the lower reach of Big Hill
Springs Creek in Big Hill coulee, between the road at the Park’s north boundary and Big
Hill Creek. It has formed on the outer fringe of the alluvial fan feature where creek water
maintains a high soil moisture level. Aspens, some planted during landscaping, occupy
At some sites, willow was recorded to the genus level only. Other willow species have been observed in
the Park, mainly in wet areas: S. pseudomonticola (false mountain willow), S. planifola (flat-leaved
willow), S. lucida (shining willow), S. maccalliana (velvet-fruited willow), and S. lutea (yellow willow)
(AEP 1994).
16
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drier knolls and levees on the upstream edge of the unit. Gleyed medium-textured soil,
with a high carbonate content indicates moist and nutrient-rich conditions. The
cinquefoil, about .5m in height, is most dense in openings between the willows and
around the edge of the community.
Big Hill Springs Provincial Park Community Type: Willow - Cinquefoil / Bluegrass
Sites: #2
Ecosites: F2
Moisture regime: subhydric
Nutrient regime: eutrophic
Soil drainage: imperfect
Soil subgroups: GLCU.HR
Slopes: 0-.5%
Slope position, Aspect: Toe-Depression, N/A
Predominant / key species:
Scientific name
Common Name
% Cover
Salix bebbiana
beaked willow
30
Shrubs:
Potentilla fruticosa
shrubby cinquefoil
20
Ribes oxyacanthoides
northern gooseberry
15
Achillea millefolium
common yarrow
5
Forbs:
Mentha arvensis
Geum aleppicum
wild mint
yellow avens
5
3
Senecio sp.
groundsel
3
Gram-
inoids:
Poa pratensis
Kentucky bluegrass
40
Juncus balticus
wire rush
20
Poa palustrus
fowl bluegrass
10
4.2.8 Willow / Bluegrass - Rough fescue
This serai upland community is found on inclined to undulating till mantle above Big Hill
Springs coulee to the south. The sample site, at the southwest comer in the northwest
parcel of the Park, is affected by cattle grazing and bmsh encroachment. This vegetation
association is a variant of other upland willow-dominated communities (like 4.2.9) along
the southwest edge of the Park, and extending southward. Fescue is a decreaser under
grazing and may be replaced by the more invasive bluegrass, especially on abused upland
sites (Tannas 1997).
Big Hill Springs Provincial Park Community Type: Willow / Bluegrass - Rough fescue
Sites: #18
Ecosites: Ml
Moisture regime: mesic
Nutrient regime: permesotrophic
Soil drainage: moderate
Soil subgroups: O.BL
Slopes:10-30%
Slope position, Aspect: Mid, NE
Predominant / key species:
17
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45
f ,v"' " l.' 'i’ .fU;>1,:jr/ •',* : .', , ,.
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' '> ;i;
Scientific name
Common Name
% Cover
Salix bebbiana
beaked willow
30
Sheperdia canadensis
Canada buffalo berry
10
Shrubs:
Potentilla fruticosa
shrubby cinquefoil
5
Betula glandulosa
bog birch
5
Populus balsamifera
balsam poplar
5
Forbs:
Fragaria virginiana
wild strawberry
8
Gram-
inoids:
Festuca scabrella
rough fescue
15
Poa pratensis
Kentucky bluegrass
15
Danthonia parryi
Parry oat grass
5
4.2.9 Willow - Prickly rose / Hairy wild rye - Bluegrass
Beyond the aspen communities above Big Hill Springs coulee, willow-dominated groves
spread up-slope to the south, just beyond the Park’s irregular southwest boundary on
undulating and gullied morainal uplands. Fingers of this community protrude into the
Park through breaks between the aspen stands. Scattered white spruce are found on
knolls and rises between gullies. The dominant shrub species found in the community
favour relatively rich nutrient regimes as are found in calcareous Black Chernozems
present here. Aspen could encroach in some sites of this community to form climatic
climax stands, however succession would be slow in many parts due to dry conditions,
and the willow would remain an edaphic climax.
Big Hill Springs Provincial Park Community Type: Willow - Prickly rose / Hairy wild rye -
Bluegrass
Sites: #21
Ecosites: Ml
Moisture regime: submesic
Nutrient regime: permesotrophic
Soil drainage: moderate
Soil subgroups: CA.BL
Slopes: 10-30%
Predominant / key species:
Slope position, Aspect: Mid, NE
Scientific name
Common Name
% Cover
Salix bebbiana
beaked willow
45*
Shrubs:
Rosa acicularis
prickly rose
40
Symphoricarpos albus
snowberry
20
Amelanchier alnifolia
saskatoon
5
Forbs:
Rubus idaeus
wild red raspberry
5
Taraxacum officinale
common dandelion
5
Gram-
Elymus innovatus
hairy wild rye
25
inoids:
Poa pratensis
Kentucky bluegrass
20
* Willow occupies the “tall shrub” stratum, while the others occupy the “low shrub’
18
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Mixed Shrublands
Communities that fall into this category are as diverse as they are extensive at Big Hill
Springs. Sites sampled v^ere found to be dominated mainly by snowberry (buckbrush) or
silver berry (wolf-willow) and to a lesser extent by prickly rose. Significantly, they occur
mainly on hillsides within and near the Park perhaps due to lighter historical grazing
regimes and/or sufficient moisture on the mid-to-lower slopes.
4.2.10 Snowberry - Prickly rose / Bluegrass
This community is found on a relatively moist lower hillslope of Big Hill coulee south
the mouth of Big Hill Springs ravine (upslope from the parking lot). Shallow depth to
bedrock and the lower slope position produce seeps that support lush growth at certain
microsites. While sparse, the moisture and nutrient-loving Cow parsnip was
encountered on lower slopes. Scattered l-2m willow sit over this knee-high shrub
conununity giving it an open appearance on the hillside. Aspen are beginning to
encroach this serai community from the fringes at many sites. The snowberry and rose
are increasers; saskatoon is a decreaser, but a valuable component of native range
(Tannas 1997).
Big Hill Springs Provincial Park Community Type: Snowberry - Prickly rose / Bluegrass
Sites: #5
Ecosites: C2.1
Moisture regime: subhygric
Nutrient regime: permesotrophic
Soil drainage: moderate
Soil subgroups: O.BL
Slopes: 31-45%
Slope position, Aspect: Lower, E
Predominant / key species:
Scientific name
Common Name
% Cover
T rees:
Symphoricarpos albus
snowberry
25
Rosa acicularis
prickly rose
30
Shrubs:
Amelanchier alnifolia
saskatoon
15
Salix bebbiana
beaked willow
5
Ribes oxyacanthoides
northern gooseberry
4
Forbs:
Thalictrum venulosum
veiny meadow rue
4
Anemone canadensis
Canada anemone
3
Gram-
Poa pratensis
Kentucky bluegrass
35
inoids:
Bromus inermis
awnless brome
5
This is approximately where ANHIC records indicate an observation of the relatively rare - and tracked -
fern species Pellaea glabella (smooth cliff brake) in 1994. Its preference for habitat among limestone
rocks (Moss 1992) would be met by the local tufa deposits.
19
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i'' ■ >■ : T
1'— 'i.. ." ;; N;,. _ ,5idk;!^i. , ' '■ J
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4.2.11 Snowberry / Brome - Bluegrass
On the floor of Big Hill Springs ravine, the open and gently-sloping area supporting this
community appears to have been an old clearing, perhaps pasture, now undergoing
significant brush encroachment both from the creekbanks below and the aspen above.
The sample site is on one of several fluvial terraces in a sequence extending the length of
the coulee. Nutrient-rich, moist, with a deep alluvial topsoil, it provides ideal habitat for
the invasive brome grass.
Big Hill Springs Provincial Park Community Type: Snowberry / Brome - Bluegrass
Sites: #14
Ecosites: F6
Moisture regime: subhygric
Nutrient regime: eutrophic
Soil drainage: well
Soil subgroups: R.BL
Slopes: 6-15%
Slope position, Aspect: Toe, E
Predominant / key species:
Scientific name
Common Name
% Cover
Symphoricarpos albus
snowberry
15
Shrubs:
Salix bebbiana
beaked willow
5
Ribes oxyacanthoides
northern gooseberry
2
Heracleum lanatum
cow parsnip
5
Forbs:
Taraxacum officanale
common dandelion
5
Urtica dioica
common nettle
3
Gram-
inoids:
Bromus inermis
Poa pratensis
awnless brome *
Kentucky bluegrass
50
15
Carex sprengelii
Sprengell’s sedge
5
* Colloquially called “smooth” brome.
4.2.12 Snowberry / Bluegrass
This community is found on open lower slopes of both coulees in relatively arid
environments (due to insolation, slope, and well-drained soil) on colluvial parent
materials. The wide ratio range of snowberry to bluegrass in these sites (i.e. 15:80 to
75:10) suggests the effects of local site characteristics (e.g. seeps, aspect, microrelief,
grazing regime) on competition between these two increaser species. The Dark Brown
Chernozem was found on a predominantly shrubby site with a strong south aspect.
Big Hill Springs Provincial Park Community Type: Snowberry / Bluegrass
Sites: #25,29
Ecosites: C2.1
20
V .
■ r’ 'id.- , yAi
;r2.v
Moisture regime; submesic
Nutrient regime: mesotrophic
Soil drainage: well
Soil subgroups: CA.BL, CA.DB
Slopes: 16-30%
Slope position, Aspect: Lower, S-W
Predominant / key species:
Scientific name
Common Name
% Cover
I
Symphoricarpos albus
snowberry
15-75
I Shrubs:
Ribes oxyacanthoides
northern gooseberry
0-3
Amelanchier alnifolia
saskatoon
0-3
Forbs:
Geranium viscosissimum
sticky purple geranium
1-5
Gram-
inoids:
Poa pratensis
Kentucky bluegrass
10-80
4.2.13 Silverberry - Choke cherry / Bluegrass
Dense groves of silverberry are found on the lower colluvium-blanketed slopes of the
east wall of Big Hill Creek coulee along the Park’s east boundary, and in a few sites on
the south-facing bank of Big Hill Springs ravine. These sites represent typical silverberry
habitat. It’s an increaser, resistant to moderate browsing and forms rather extensive
colonies as climax grasses decline. Choke cherry is a decreaser, not as highly
competetive (Tannas 1997). This indicates a silverberry / bluegrass edaphic climax
community.
Big Hill Springs Provincial Park Community Type: Silverberry - Choke cherry / Bluegrass
Sites: #9
Ecosites: C2.2
Moisture regime: submesic
Nutrient regime: mesotrophic
Soil drainage: moderate
Soil subgroups: O.R
Slopes: 31-70%
Slope position. Aspect: Mid-Lower, W-S
Predominant / key species:
Scientific name
Common Name
% Cover
Eleagnus commutata
silverberry
60*
Shrubs:
Prunus virginiana
choke cherry
30
Symphoricarpos albus
snowberry
25
Amelanchier alnifolia
saskatoon
5
21
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Forbs:
Aster conspicuus
showy aster
5
Thalictrum venulosum
veiny meadow rue
4
Gram-
Poa pratensis
Kentucky bluegrass
20
inoids:
Agropyron dasystachyum
northern wheatgrass
5
* Silverberry occupies the “tall shrub” stratum, while the others occupy the “low shrub”.
4.2.14 Prickly rose - Silverberry / Bluegrass
This community occupies the middle hillside zone between the road and the colluvium-
resuduum-outcrops unit (CXI) on the west crest of Big Hill Creek coulee. Buffalo berry
is present at the upper fringes. There are signs of soil creep along this bank, perhaps
exacerbated by cattle grazing-trampling over time, however it currently appears stable
due to vegetative cover. The shrubs, all increasers, comprise a maturing edaphic climax
community due to lack of moisture (caused by strong slopes, well-drained soil, and
insolation) and poor soil development.
Big Hill Springs Provincial Park Community Type: Silverberry - Choke cherry / Bluegrass
Sites: #28
Ecosites: C2.3
Moisture regime: submesic
Nutrient regime: permesotrophic
Soil drainage: well
Soil subgroups: CA.BL
Slopes: 31-45%
Slope position, Aspect: Mid, E
Predominant / key species:
Scientific name
Common Name
% Cover
Rosa acicularis
prickly rose
40
Shrubs:
Eleagnus commutata
silverberry
25
Symphoricarpos albus
snowberry
5
Forbs:
Apocynum androsaemifolium
spreading dogbane
3
Geranium viscosissimum
sticky purple geranium
3
Gram-
inoids:
Poa pratensis
Kentucky bluegrass
10
4.2.15 Silverberry - Cinquefoil / Wheat grass - Sedge
This community is described using a composite of characteristics of two similar and
nearby sites on the upper slopes on the east wall of Big Hill Springs coulee (above and
just beyond the Park’s east boundary). These sites are just below the glaciofluvial terrace
22
%■
’VH'; flfej*
.v«/, .’'■:2’':^ " V” " " ■'
fl'. '
■ 'i
■#,
•iff* «•^■'H<^^l!^....ts4f1*•^ *i4> ^'':
" % '’■ .: -Hr ■ ■ *3
1 •*.i5
(described in Section 2.6) on colluvial veneer over inclined weathered bedrock. The
sedge, a drought-resistant increaser, sometimes found on such exposed areas and eroded
slopes at high elevations, can be very effective in erosion control here due to its dense
and tough root structure (Tannas 1997). Of the grasses - all increasers - June grass is
native and a common grassland species. The sample sites are classed as young to mature
edaphic climax communities.
Big Hill Springs Provincial Park Community T ype: Silverberry - Cinquefoil / Wheat grass -
Sedge
Sites: #8,10
Ecosites: C2.2
Moisture regime: submesic
Nutrient regime: mesotrophic
Soil drainage: moderate
Soil subgroups: O.R, R.DB
Slopes: 31-70%
Slope position, Aspect: Mid-Lower, W-S
Predominant / key species:
Scientific name
Common Name
% Cover
Eleagnus commutate
silverberry
8-15
Shrubs:
Amelanchier alnifolia
saskatoon
5-15
Potentilla fruticosa
shrubby cinquefoil
2-5
Prunus virginiana
choke cherry
1
Forbs:
Galium boreale
northern bedstraw
3-30
Artemesia frigida
pasture sagewort
3-10
Agropyron dasystachyum
northern wheat grass
10-30
Gram-
Poa pratensis
Kentucky bluegrass
20
inoids:
Carex filifolia
thread-leaved sedge
15-20
Koeleria macrantha
June grass
5-25
Grasslands
The four grassland communities described below represent a cross-section of essentially
what remains of “native” or natural communities (opposed to tame or reclaimed sites) in
an area long used for ranching. The presence and occasional dominance of introduced
or non-native species like crested wheat grass and Kentucky bluegrass attest to the long-
term effects of historical pasture seeding, dispersion by wind and animals, grazing
regimes, and aggressive habitat competition by introduced / invader and increaser species
such as brome. AEP (1997) describes that fescue grasslands, including those in the
Parkland, are threatened by extensive cultivation and that any remaining areas should be
considered endangered.
Grassland community types at Big Hill Springs are often quite variable by species
composition, and spatially - as influenced by site-specific conditions including parent
material, slope-aspect, microrelief, moisture, and land use.
23
,„j,^vnc*F'WK»S}d«#^ jrfiiin,.,. ’
hfttif ...arTrii<||i^ f ■■ _
It F • ,fil ) '^ f,ii(!'\itfii- i». {5 vW *4!^-;:^Jl*iyi''*'
ri
’* tx. •l^ .lili .
.v„i4|. m
4.
.^'‘.m:\ 4S'>' ■ JjA^kimtik
4.2.16 Sand grass - Northern wheat grass - June grass
The sampled site is on an open mid-slope of the north bank of Big Hill Springs coulee, on
medium to coarse soils. These factors combined with a strong south aspect contribute to
the relative aridity of the site, hence its edaphic climax successional status. Although an
increaser, sand grass is susceptible to trampling, with implications for human and cattle
access and the site’s slope stability. Northern wheatgrass, normally an increaser - and
tolerant to grazing and trampling - may be a decreaser on such dry sites. June grass,
often indicative of overgrazing, is an increaser (Tannas 1997).
I Big Hill Springs Provincial Park Community Type: Sand grass - Northern wheat grass -
June grass
Sites: #26
Ecosites: C1
Moisture regime: submesic-subxeric
Nutrient regime: mesotrophic
Soil drainage: well-rapid
Soil subgroups: O.R
Slopes: 46-70%
Slope position, Aspect: Mid, S
Predominant / key species:
Scientific name
Common Name
% Cover
Shrubs:
Potentilla fruticosa
shrubby cinquefoil
1
Artemesia frigida
pasture sagewort
2
Forbs:
TrifoHum repens
white clover
2
Phlox hoodii
moss phlox
2
Calamovilfa longifolia
sand grass
30
Gram-
Agropyron dasystachyum
northern wheatgrass
15
inoids:
Koeleria macrantha
June grass
15
Carex filifolia
thread-leaved sedge
5
4.2.17 Northern wheat grass - Bluebunch fescue
This community shares the same ecological unit as the previous one, about 60m to the
east along the north bank of Big Hill Springs coulee. Significant differences between sites
are the shallower slope and finer-textured soil here facilitating Chemozemic soil
development. Both the predominant grass species are increasers and can withstand
grazing and trampling. The scattered shrubby cinquefoil on site may be seen as invasive
and troublesome in range-lands, although they contribute to erosion control. This was the
only sample site where the northern green bog-orchid (Habenaria hyperborea) was
encountered - unusual in a dry grassland habitat, and uncommon in the Park (AEP
1994).
Big Hill Springs Provincial
Sites: #27
Park Community Type: Northern wheat grass - Bluebunch fescue
Ecosites: C1
24
>( .:>!
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'•!:afC.>''^v 'iM. •• A.i ■fnri^'jt^- ;a»vf?i»«tjiV«r>vf c^*? • ■ iH .^^v.: »^*
■•"**" ■ ' 5 .•• ■ " > ; ar^^Nif^; ■•>, <•, *, .^iii-<r T % ; » w^>' ■-.'•i * ^htk7/. «. ,^i’a^’’ •:.* •!> n.»li’t^)!»
|. "SI* ■ I*. 7*%' :t4' V*’' '•i.'c^i;V.- './>;’ i^-/< /.ti
f
■'•aV'^. ! ;^ j‘, •',iti',»'’J'’ V' f;-i'( ,41. tf/wrf4fWilirt»«3‘^bA» lii, *?^ir Iw0ii4. -
. Vi»\v- ifM^o •- «.tf >'-f}V-{ p^-
.•l«it,#'v;'i;;' r '
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liirvW
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e. ^■■ ■'^
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Moisture regime: submesic-mesic
Nutrient regime: permesotrophic
Soil drainage: well
Soil subgroups: CA.BL
Slopes: 10-15%
Slope position, Aspect: Mid, S
Predominant / key species:
Scientific name
Common Name
% Cover
Shrubs:
Potentilla fruticosa
shrubby cinquefoil
1
Thermopsis rhombofolia
golden bean
5
Forbs:
Smiliacina stellata
star-flowered Solomon’s seal
5
Solidago missouriensis
low goldenrod
3
Agropyron dasystachyum
northern wheat grass
30
Gram-
inoids:
Festuca idahoensis
Koeleria macrantha
bluebunch fescue
June grass
20
5
Poa pratensis
Kentucky bluegrass
5
Stipa comata
needle-and-thread
5
4.2.18 Parry oat grass - Kentucky bluegrass
At the far northwest comer of the main Park parcel, the grassy landscape grades from a
gently-undulating glaciofluvial terrace to upper colluvial slopes of Big Hill Springs
coulee. The Chemozemic Black topsoil is deeper and fragment-free on the benchland
portion. Light grazing use is evident. Both dominant grasses are increasers, although
bluegrass is probably the more invasive and persistent, often replacing native species on
abused upland sites in the region (Tannas 1997). Similarly, shmbby cinquefoil is
invasive, adapted to a variety of soils, and can degrade good-quality grasslands.
Successional status is a mature edaphic climax.
Big Hill Springs Provincial Park Community Type: Parry oat grass - Kentucky bluegrass
Sites: #12
Ecosites: GF1,C1
Moisture regime: mesic-submesic
Nutrient regime: mesotrophic
Soil drainage: moderate
Soil subgroups: CA.BL
Slopes: .5-30%
Slope position. Aspect: Crest-Upper, S
Predominant / key species:
Scientific name
Common Name
% Cover
Shrubs:
Potentilla fruticosa
shrubby cinquefoil
2
Rosa acicularis
prickly rose
1
Thallctrum venulosum
veiny meadow rue
8
Forbs:
Sisyrinchium montanum
common blue-eyed grass
3
Anemone patens
prairie crocus
2
25
^isr^r T..jssr,„-."'^?rs3R
■»4flr ■».'.w*(«*Rt fe^ AiUg.
IWiff > i»<ill !'*■- -•'■«*''■
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.|pil^|. ,f. ^■«*|rT<
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4j~:».'^..ag)((j»«''^ ... ■ ,':'^.05 «<if>*6iJn'. »i
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* *" '^''i iC^isiSlS te'.vrvift •':«'.«:■ ■•
i
i
'ik M-
-l-;?*‘r ♦ *vw : W '_- ,W#( •• • 'WV
i4jS . •* ritiAllWit:' *= '*x\
9(i^
0
.i.'
Danthonia parryi
Parry oat grass
25
Gram-
Poa pratensis
Kentucky bluegrass
25
inoids:
Koeleria macrantha
June grass
5
Stipa virdula
green needle grass
5
4.2.19 Kentucky bluegrass - Rough fescue
The sample site is located in the northwest parcel of the Park, low on the glaciofluvial
terrace on the north side of the upper Big Hill Springs coulee. The soil is medium-
textured Black Chemozemic. The site, long a pasture, apparently remains under a light
grazing regime. Bluegrass is an increaser, often replacing natives on abused upland sites.
Fescues are usually hardy, drought-resistant and suited to intensive grazing. Rough
fescue is a valuable climax species, but slow to establish and is often a decreaser in many
places (Tannas 1997). There is a rich variety of forbs represented in this mature edaphic
climax community, although in small proportions.
Big Hill Springs Provincial Park Community Type: Kentucky bluegrass - Rough fescue
Sites: #16
Ecosites: GF1
Moisture regime: subxeric
Nutrient regime: mesotrophic
Soil drainage: well
Soil subgroups: O.BL
Slopes: 0-9%
Slope position, Aspect: Upper-Mid, S
Predominant / key species:
Scientific name
Common Name
% Cover
Thermopsis rhombofolia
golden bean
5
Forbs:
Artemesia frigida
pasture sagewort
5
Achillea millefolium
common yarrow
2
Poa pratensis
Kentucky bluegrass
50
Gram-
inoids:
Festuca scabrella
rough fescue
25
Agropyron dasystachyum
northern wheatgrass
5
Koeleria macrantha
June grass
2
Stipa virdula
green needle grass
3
Modified Grasslands
Some sites in the Park, as discussed in previous sections, have experienced cultivation:
seeding and / or reclamation and the introduction of non-native grass species. These
correspond to former tame pastures recently acquired by the Park (i.e. the northwest
parcel), and reclaimed facility sites in the lower part of the Park.
26
' - 4 -i; "W.fM ' •«' <■•■ ‘ ' ttf '
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its
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4JIP i -- ,„ . •’ ' :' ' \ iimipITy ^
4' ' _.252^^ ' *■
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•»• ■l-o/•1lfi^*^^'^!4ff -A.v «t;/'>;v ■ i,j'i *Si.v •c.4y;‘i •«i, m
r'f-iim ■■-■>'»9' ^*«'J^:i^J|»|'''''-’ '7' ' u«'/ :^f ' ■i4i*/."i.'»:<('v ^'•'■ha*
'I..' I VI).-'? • ■.*• 4|t' „t»tl(' . It. ■ ■ r- ‘ Jttl^ilti: -.^'i: .ri '*' S
t. i w ')5iM<;'»i>»Mi »i‘. ■ , *^w»^'<}»8i^*'*^^1#^ iv-'-^
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<
4.2.20 Northern wheat grass - June grass
This community was identified on the edge of the former Park headquarters facility site.
Located on an elevated fluvial terrace in Big Hill Creek ravine, much of the central part
was altered by the processes of site preparation, construction, landscaping, and finally,
dismantling and reclamation. The peripheral vegetation appears essentially native and is
synopsized in the table below.
The reclaimed portion has a heavy cover of brome grass (Bromus spp.) - invasive, but
excellent for site stabilization (Tannas 1997), with a lesser amount of Kentucky
bluegrass.^^ There are remnant ornamental shrubs: mainly caragana, with some lilac and
honeysuckle. Perhaps due to contouring and tillage at reclamation, as well its receiving
slope position, this site is quite moist as evidenced by gleyed soil, lush brome growth,
and balsam poplar shoots.
Big Hill Springs Provincial Park Community Type: Northern wheat grass - June grass
Sites: #11
Ecosites: F6
Moisture regime: subhygric
Nutrient regime: permesotrophic
Soil drainage: imperfect
Soil subgroups: O.BL, O.HG
Slopes: .5-2.5%
Slope position, Aspect: Toe-Depression, N/A
Predominant / key species:
Scientific name
Common Name
% Cover
Shrubs:
Potentilla fruticosa
shrubby cinquefoil
2
Juniperus horizontalis
creeping juniper
Thermopsis rhombofolia
golden bean
3
Forbs:
Artemesia frigida
pasture sagewort
5
Galium boreale
northern bedstraw
20
Agropyron dasystachyum
northern wheatgrass
25
Gram-
Poa pratensis
Kentucky bluegrass
15
inoids:
Koeleria macrantha
June grass
15
Danthonia parryi
Parry oat grass
5
4.2.21 Awnless brome - Timothy
On an ecosite resembling the previous one, this grassland community is situated on the
alluvial fan near the mouth of Big Hill Springs Creek where the old campground was.
Lin (1980) describes the area as being covered with exotic grasses and weeds before
reclaiming with a seed mix of crested wheat grass, Kentucky bluegrass, creeping red
Lin (1980) documents that the site was reclaimed with a seed mix of 30% creeping red fescue (Festuca
sp.), 45% crested wheat grass (Agropyron pectiniforme), and 5% white clover {Trifolium repens). This
composition is not evident today.
27
'* 'afi.i? »i- » tfkS-riAWtaiWpa} ww-v »»(»«!•«; *sKX^ . ■■, »,
i»M« <vi pm </%» • tt* -s.-'i** . .wOlCiaiJ'ial i-*ef ns v
•,*
a- .
^ 3
I
■»
gj; . ■; *-Jr ^ "•THiyjH . ■ ■. _ T V }», v ,<5-4 ^:^m- ^ ® . •' ■ T
• • T, _
4-
(♦•i>5?-'
' ,fch#r!?;v.'S#»|NF'| ts
.w. 3..-..ii»^ «■»> ■—
,.,i.
^v^^' >y\^A
*1
’S
^ M'
'' ■
L’l >YI<' A/i;>lir'^*ij
A*
- • ' 4 w . <»tt»'.r?ir‘ V. J'i; /»n^ K. fTXwyv?
-'■ . ■ .,iU ■■'**•«* S' tilt
f^it ||wp .. ^ sV ' ' jg^^P ■ ’M{|ttj^'4?>iV' i? .tf:lW ; • tii^^t
iir 'iki'
fescue and white clover (as well as with some transplanted aspen and spruce). Since
then, brome and timothy have invaded and dominated due to the moist and rich soils.
The site is criss-crossed with old vehicle trails and tracks.
Big Hill Springs Provincial Park Community Type: Awnless brome - Timothy
Sites: #4
Ecosites: F4
Moisture regime: subhygric
Nutrient regime: permesotrophic
Soil drainage: well
Soil subgroups: CA.BL
Slopes: 2-5%
Slope position, Aspect: Toe-Depression, E
Predominant / key species:
Scientific name
Common Name
% Cover
Forbs:
Ranunculus acris
Trifolium pratense
tall buttercup
red clover
2
2
Gram-
inoids:
Bromus inermis
Phleum pratense
awnless brome *
timothy
60
30
Carex spp.
sedge
5
* Colloquially called “smooth” brome.
4.2.22 Kentucky bluegrass - Awnless brome - Timothy
This community is found in a tame pasture near the centre of the northwest parcel, on the
broad glaciofluvial terrace. Each grass species here is an increaser, with brome and
timothy the more invasive, aggressive and persistent - and relatively more abundant in
the moist depressions (shallow relict channels) at this site.
Big Hill Springs Provincial Park Community Type: Kentucky bluegrass - Awnless brome - I
Timothy
Sites: #15
Ecosites: GF1
Moisture regime: subhygric
Nutrient regime: mesotrophic
Soil drainage: moderate
Soil subgroups: O.BL
Slopes: 2-5%
Slope position. Aspect: Mid, SE
Predominant / key species:
Scientific name
Common Name
% Cover
Shrubs:
Rosa acicularis
prickly rose
1
Thermopsis rhombofolia
golden bean
5
Forbs:
Artemesia ludoviciana
prairie sagewort
3
Geranium viscosissimum
sticky purple geranium
3
28
4#
,a: m
’f5'' .;f,i
.. .
>.« ' iiilSii'WiilwtJ'r ■ idt ll'iNii^ -^ ' - ^ jjWj - - ^ " i ■ - ‘ tIi^'^ ii
?}rfeSJ:f^
S
_ t ..- jfe. -__^Jb”S4^ .Si
r.'» •>■■: ..%
<J ik:;''.. '**' '
n»
m
!■
.'n’1
i'\^
;i«.
Pv>C'‘*j I- .t ,' , , ,-J >C|ffif iittvr.v 1 3 i iflVJ S ' ^ »'.^"•>l'i■^,''• ' •' •^•*‘«'iP' ‘
^i.t :k:?ij"i
>r4i ^ ‘iE'
.* '*i.
- - 4).
’•^ir
>• «« r» f
- Ill y^uiii^^ >-^
■-r'“'^ «
Vt vu nG^nsi*'
'* ^'Hi. "* 1
•1 \ 'ij /■
■ ‘/^■"f ■
L- ■ ' ■ Tift'’' 'lai
, 4*: -f, i„»., ^jfi<:
.-^ :
m
«T4fc.’
-4-
<o4i
S'
.r*
•.i‘>
^.L
,J
»
«
:i,i:f'.r^<
Gram-
inoids:
Poa pratensis
Kentucky bluegrass
80
Bromus inermis
Phleum pratense
awnless brome
timothy
5
5
Grasslands -Wet meadows
This category of vegetation community at Big Hill Springs is characterized by a site’s
proximity to water and high water table, and by a preponderance of hygrophytic
graminoids such as sedges (Carex spp.) and rushes {Juncus spp.).
4.2.23 Tall buttercup / Wire rush
Above Big Hill Creek on the outer fringe of the alluvial fan, this meadow community has
experienced cattle grazing (a tussocky surface) as well as effects from park visitors over
time (since it surrounds the former campground). The soil, moist - as manifested by
gleying in the profile, and rich in nutrients (calcareous) supports a lush vegetative cover.
The introduced and invasive buttercup is common in such depressional and low
meadows; and the rush, also an increaser is resistant to to trampling and spreads when
other species decline (Tannas 1997).
Big Hill Springs Provincial Park Community Type: Tall buttercup / Wire rush
Sites: #3
Ecosites: F3
Moisture regime: subhygric
Nutrient regime: permesotrophic
Soil drainage: imperfect
Soil subgroups: GLCU.R
Slopes: 2-5%
Slope position, Aspect: Toe-Depression, E
Predominant / key species:
Scientific name
Common Name
% Cover
Shrubs:
Potentilla fruticosa
shrubby cinquefoil
2
Ranunculus acris
tall buttercup
15
Forbs:
Potentilla anserina
silverweed
5
Achillea millefolium
common yarrow
4
Gram-
inoids:
Juncus balticus
Phleum pratense
wire rush
timothy
25
20
Poa pratensis
Kentucky bluegrass
15
29
, IT. ■.{ m f
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'■!* r-rt* :* --■ <■ AV.— »M>.-r^'i»l-»'- — »• - ■lAi mm^y^
'l«*?VHC3fa01frT
4.2.24 Water sedge
This riparian community is established on the floodplain of Big Hill Creek south of the
confluence with Big Hill Springs Creek. Its thick rich, silty topsoil is subjected to
periodic flooding and deposition. Trampling by cattle has degraded the soft creekbank
with the formation of tussocks and small pits. Scattered willow in clumps and thickets
surround the site upslope on the moister fringes of the alluvial fan. The sedge, normally a
decreaser and somewhat susceptible to grazing pressure, can be good for soil-binding and
erosion control in wet sites.
Big Hill Springs Provincial Park Community Type: Water sedge I
Sites: #1
Ecosites: FI I
Moisture regime: subhydric
Nutrient regime: eutrophic
Soil drainage: imperfect - well
Soil subgroups: O.HR
Slopes: 0-2.5 %
Slope position, Aspect: Depression-level, N/A
Predominant / key species:
Scientific name
Common Name
% Cover
Shrubs:
Salix spp.
willow
1
Forbs:
Mentha arvensis
PotentHIa anserina
wild mint
silverweed
5
3
Gram-
Carex aquatilus
water sedge
40
inoids:
Poa pratensis
Kentucky bluegrass
10
4.2.25 Kentucky bluegrass - Fowl bluegrass - Bebb’s sedge
This edaphic climax community occurs adjacent to the uppermost spring discharge site
on the floor of Big Hill Springs coulee, in the northwest parcel. Nominally tame pasture
(as is the area just above it to the north), the site is significantly affected by year-round
springwater, as well as by concentrated surface runoff in the spring and during rainy
periods. Fowl bluegrass, unlike Kentucky bluegrass, is a decreaser and wetland species
(Tannas 1997). This was the only site where the northern willow-herb {Epilobium
ciliatum), generally common especially in wet and “springy places”, was encountered.
Big Hill Springs Provincial Park Community Type: Kentucky bluegrass - Fowl bluegrass
Bebb’s sedge
Sites: #17
Ecosites: F5
30
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Moisture regime: subhygric
Nutrient regime: permesotrophic
Soil drainage: well
Soil subgroups: O.HR
Slopes: 2-5%
Slope position, Aspect: Depression, NW
Predominant / key species:
Scientific name
Common Name
% Cover
Shrubs:
Sa//x spp.
willow
5
Forbs:
Epilobium ciliatum
northern willow-herb
10
Veronica americana
American brooklime
5
Poa pratensis
Kentucky bluegrass
25
Gram-
inoids:
Poa palustrus
fowl bluegrass
10
Phleum pratense
timothy
5
Carex bebbii
Bebb’s sedge
5
Catabrosa aquatica
brook grass
5
4.3 Significant Plant Species
Of the 126 vascular plant species encountered during this study, no rare or uncommon
species (as tracked by ANHIC)^"^ were observed. Six species deemed Uncommon by
AEP (1994) were observed, and are indicated in the Vegetation Species List,
Appendix 1.^^
The ANHIC database contains a number of observations of 2 rare species in or close to
Big Hill Springs Provincial Park:
Pellaea glabella smooth cliff brake (fern)
Ranunculus aquatilus large-leaved white water crowfoot
4.4 Significant Vegetation Cover Changes
Changes in vegetative cover represent the most apparent, extensive, and rapid of
biophysical changes in the Park.
A natural process of vegetation succession in a conservation area such as a park would
normally be viewed as positive, and management practices would seek to foster this
ecological evolution. Succession from the region’s historical extensive grass cover to
parkland in the absence of extensive grazing (and with fire suppression) is almost
Alberta Natural Heritage Information Centre database on rare plants. Administered by Alberta
Environmental Protection, Natural Resources Service - Parks.
Wallis and Wershler recorded 5 of these 6 species too. It may suggest they aren’t that “uncommon”.
31
MAP 3
inevitable. As succession proceeds, community structure becomes more stratified,
biomass and organic matter accumulate, and nutrient cycling becomes more internal in
the system. Food webs become more complex, species diversity increases to a point and
net community production approaches equilibrium (Smith 1996).
The transition of vegetative cover from pioneer and serai communities such as grasses,
shrubs and poplar to maturing climax communities like spruce stands is evident in many
areas of the Park. Expansion of the spruce and poplar communities into old shrubland in
the south of the Park and in Big Hill Springs ravine is the most significant in an areal
sense. In Big Hill coulee, willow and mixed-shrub groves have matured and spread into
former grassland pasture.
Apparent changes between current vegetation community distribution and that mapped
by Wallis and Wershler 25 years ago (possibly using June, 1970 airphoto data) are
indicated on Map 3. However, differences in approaches to ground cover character-
ization, classification, and mapping - rather than real change - may bear on the validity
or extent of some of the “Changes” shown on Map 3 (e.g. 16, 17, 18). These differences
would preclude a detailed comparison and analysis.
5.0 ISSUES AND RECOMMENDATIONS
The following are considered to be some issues that bear on the Park’s ecological
integrity, conservation of its natural history features, and enjoyment by the public. Most
are self-evident and may merit further detailed study in order to develop suitable
management approaches.
5.1 Land Use
As long as grazing is approved for certain Park lands, degradation, or at least suspension
of some natural processes (e.g. vegetation succession, streamcourse development) may be
expected. A range-specific inventory and assessment should be performed if cattle
grazing is likely to continue within the Park, so ecologically-based guidelines can be
established.
Impacts from visitor use, as well, were apparent at some sites and might be mitigated by
facility / infrastructure enhancements, and signage appealing to a conservation ethic.
5.2 Fences and Boundaries
Wire fences were established in a pre- or early Park setting to control cattle grazing.
Some fences in and around the Park appear to have become obsolete for that purpose, yet
remain in-situ, in varying states of repair and decay. As well, most fencelines have little
32
correspondence with Park boundaries. Evidence of the Park’s true boundaries on the
ground is very limited and (with the fencing and unofficial warning signs) may
unnecessarily deter visitors from experiencing its far comers.
5.3 Sensitive Sites
No ecosites or vegetation corrununities in the Park were analysed specifically as to their
biological / ecological or physical vulnerability. Komex (1998) comments on the
susceptibility of the tufa formations to erosion and wear, and on the effects of cattle and
streambank trampling on water quality. If there are any significantly sensitive sites at
Big Hill Springs, most will likely be in the relatively soft streamcourse, riparian, or wet
areas.
5.4 Bank Stability
The steeper coulee walls are weak and physically sensitive to weathering, erosion, and
trampling; therefore susceptible to mass movements including outright collapse.
Numerous creep, slump, and rockfall deposits were observed. Access to the top and
bottom of these sites should be restricted.
5.5 Rare Plants
It was suggested (pers. comm., Joyce Gould - Keith Ainsley) during the course of
fieldwork, that the best prospects of finding any rare or uncommon plant species,
probably mosses, would be in the ecologically unique spring or stream sites, and by a
bryophyte specialist. As well, locations of the two rare plants already identified in the
Park should be sought-out. A follow-up rare plant survey may be warranted.
5.5 Brush Encroachment
Bmsh encroachment involves viable rangelands being invaded by woody vegetation -
bmsh and young trees, to a point where forage production is lost or unavailable for
grazing. It’s evident from comparing historical and contemporary airphotos and maps
that this is occurring at many sites in the Park, particularly above the south bank of Big
Hill Springs coulee, and in Big Hill coulee. Assessments should be made with a view to
to preserving grassland communities through pro-active measures, or to “let Nature take
its course”.
33
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5.6 Adjacent Lands
It’s apparent that with the two parcels of the Park not contiguous, and that because some
of the Park’s natural history features are minimally or not wholly enclosed by Park
boundaries, that full and effective management of these features is constrained. Section
2.7 describes the link the Park plays in a regional green space network.
Big Hill Springs Provincial Park is a very small “island” - only 38 hectares, hardly
ecologically viable on its own. It’s vulnerable, and perhaps irreversibly affected by land
use practices and industrial activities on nearby properties: farms, ranches, acreages,
gravel operations, etc. Much of the local watershed drains through the Park, with
implications for water quality and supply.
34
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6.0 REFERENCES
Alberta Environmental Protection (AEP). 1993. Alberta Plants and Fungi - Master
Species List and Species Group Checklists. Pub. No. Ref. 75.
Alberta Environmental Protection (AEP) - Parks. 1994. Big Hill Springs Provincial
Park: Plants. Alberta’s Watchable Wildlife Checklist Series. Government of Alberta.
Alberta Environmental Protection (AEP). 1996. Big Hill Springs Provincial Park
Management Plan. Natural Resources Service, Parks Management.
Alberta Environmental Protection (AEP). 1997. The Parkland Natural Region of
Alberta. Natural Resources Service, Recreation and Protected Areas Division, Natural
Heritage Planning and Evaluation Branch.
Alberta Environmental Protection (AEP). nd. Park File: Big Hill Springs Provincial
Park. Natural Resource Service, Parks Management.
Alberta Recreation and Parks, ca. 1988. Big Hill Springs Provincial Park. Curriculum
guide. Copy held at University of Alberta, Edmonton.
Blogorodow, P. et al 1976. Big Hill Springs Provincial Park: Mini Master Plan.
Regional Park Planning, Planning and Design Branch, Alberta Recreation, Parks and
Wildlife.
Bomeuf, D. 1983. Springs of Alberta. Alberta Research Council.
Canada- Alberta Partnership Agreement in Forestry (CAPAF). 1994. Ecological Land
Survey Site Description Manual. Produced for Canadian Forest Service and Alberta
Land and Forest Services; Alberta Environmental Protection
Cauboue, M., Strong, W.L., Archambault, L. and Sims, R.A. 1996. Terminology of
Ecological Land Classification in Canada. Natural Resources Canada, and Canadian
Forest Service - Quebec. Information Report LAU-X-1 14E.
Curcio, Michele P. 1967, 1970. Water Study and Report (for Big Hill Springs Provincial
Park). Department of Lands and Forests, Parks Division. Government of Alberta.
Houseknecht, Stephan J. 1984. Natural History Study of Mineral and Thermal Springs
in Canada. TERA Environmental Consultants Ltd., Vancouver; Prepared for Parks
Canada.
Komex International Ltd. 1998. Hydrogeological Characterization of Big Hill Springs
Provincial Park. Prepared for Alberta Environmental Protection, Southern East Slopes
Region, Calgary.
35
Lamoureux, RJ. 1983. Environmentally Significant Areas of the Calgary Region.
Prepared for the Calgary Regional Planning Commission
Lin, E., et al 1980. Horticultural Management Plan for Big Hill Springs Provincial
Park. Alberta Recreation and Parks - Parks Division.
MacMillan, R.A. 1987. Soil Survey of the Calgary Urban Perimeter. Alberta Soil
Survey Report No. 45. Alberta Research Council, Edmonton.
Moss, E.H. 1983. Flora of Alberta. 2"^. Ed. Revised by J. Packer. University of
Toronto Press.
Mueller-Dombois, D. and Ellenberg, H. 1974. Aims and Methods of Vegetation
Ecology. John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Semenchuk, G. (ed.). 1992. The Atlas of Breeding Birds of Alberta. Federation of
Alberta Naturalists, Edmonton, Alberta.
Smith, R.L. 1996. Ecology and Field Biology - 5^ Edition. Harper Collins College
Publishers.
Spalding, D.A.E. (Ed.). 1980. A Nature Guide to Alberta. Provincial Museum of
Alberta publication No.5. Hurtig Publishers, Edmonton.
Strong, W.L. 1992. Ecoregions and Ecodistricts of Alberta, Volume 1. Prepared by
Ecological Land Surveys Ltd. for Alberta Forestry, Lands and Wildlife; Land
Information Services Division; Edmonton
Strong, W.L. 1995. Ecodistricts of Alberta: Summary of Biophysical Attributes.
Prepared for Alberta Environmental Protection; Resource Data Division; Edmonton
Tannas, K. ca. 1997. Common Plants of the Western Rangelands, Vols. I and II.
Curriculum and Instructional Development Services, Lethbridge Community College.
Turchenek, L.W. and Fawcett, M.D. 1994. Soil Survey of the Municipal District of
Rocky View No. 44, Alberta (excluding the Calgary Urban Perimeter). Alberta Soil Survey
Report No.53. Alberta Research Council, Edmonton.
Wallis, C.A. and Wershler, C.R. 1972. An Ecological Survey of Big Hill Springs
Provincial Park. Provincial Parks Planning Branch, Department of Lands and Forests,
Alberta.
36
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<*i ,i)|nft?ip (.sjW.w'ie u'nit^ »vgflji».;; 'i).'/j?»iiK». JOMU'JXHi'j
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Appendix 1
BIG HILL SPRINGS PROVINCIAL PARK: VEGETATION SPECIES
The 126 species listed below were observed and recorded during field sampling in July 1997. This list does not
constitute a complete or exhaustive list of species to be found in the Park, but would supplement other inventories.
Habitat Codes: A - Aspen Woodlands; G - Grasslands; Gm - Modified Grasslands; M - Moist Meadows; P - Balsam poplar or Balsam
poplar-White spruce dominated Woodlands; R - Riparian areas; Sm - Mixed Shrublands; Sw - Willow-dominated Shrublands.
The habitat code sequence shown below for each species is not significant. U - Uncommon (AEP 1 994).
Species
Common Name
Habitat
Site#
Achillea millefolium
common yarrow
M/Sm/Sw/G/Gm/A
2,3,5,9,11,15,16,17,18,20,21,25,28
Actaea rubra
red and white baneberry
A
6,22,23
Agropyron dasystachyum
northern wheatgrass
Sm/G
8,9,10,11,16,26,27,29
Allium textile
prairie onion
Sm/G
10,11,26,27,29
Amelanchier alnifolia
saskatoon
Sm / A / Sw
5,8,9,10,18,20,22,28,29
Anemone canadensis
Canada anemone
M / Sm / A
2,3,5,6,14
Anemone multifida
cut-leafed anenome
Sm/G
8,11,16
Anemone patens
prairie crocus
G/Gm
12,15,27
Antennaria parvifolia
small-leaved everlasting
G
11,27
Apocynum androsaemifolium
spreading dogbane
Sm
8,9,10,28
Arctostaphlos uva-ursi
common bearberry
Sw
18
Artemesia frigida
pasture sagewort
Sm/G
8,9,10,11,16,25,26,27,28
Artemesia ludoviciana
prairie sagewort
Sm/Gm
5,9,15,29
Aster alpinus
alpine aster
Sm
25
Aster ciliolatus
Lindley’s aster
A/P/Sm/Sw/G
6,7,9,12,18,21,23,24
Aster conspicuus
showy aster
A / P / Sm / Sw
6,7,9,13,20,21,24
Aster laevis
smooth aster
Sm
28
Aster spp.
aster
Sm
5
Astragalus dasyglottis
purple milk vetch
G/Sw/A
11,12,18,20
Astragalus tennellus
loose-flowered milk vetch
Sm/G
8,10,26
Betula glandulosa
bog birch
Sw
18
Bromus inermis
awnless brome
A / G / Sm / Gm / P
4,5,8,9,10,14,15,16,24,25,28
Calamagrostis canadensis
bluejoint
A/G
6
Calamovilfa longifolia
sand grass
G
26
Campanula rotundifolia
harebell
Sm/G
8,27
Caragana arborencens
common caragana
Gm
11
Carex aquatilus
water sedge
R
1
Carex bebbii
Bebb’s sedge
M
17
Carex filifolia
thread-leaved sedge
Sm/G
8,10,26
Carex spp.
sedge
P/R
13
Carex sprengelii
Sprengel’s sedge
A / P / Sm
7,14,23
Catabrosa aquatica
brook grass
P/R/M U
13,17
Cerastium arvense
mouse-ear chickweed
R/M/Sm/A/G/Sw
1,2,3,5,12,18,20
Cirsium arvense
Canada thistle
R/M/Sm/Sw/P
1,2,5,13,18,19,29
Cirsium undulatum
wavy-leaved thistle
Sm/G U
10,26,27,29
Danthonia parry!
Parry oat grasss
G / Sw / Sm
11,12,18,25
Delphinium glaucum
tall larkspur
P
7,13,23,24
Disporum trachycarpum
fairy bells
A/P
6,7,22
Dodecatheon pulchellum
shooting star
M
3
Eleagnus commutata
silverberry
Sm
8,9,10,28
Elymus innovatus
hairy wild rye
A / P / Sm / Sw
6,7,9,20,21,22,23
Epilobium angustifolium
common fireweed
R/M/Sm/A/P
1,2,3,5,6,7,13,23,24
Epilobium ciliatum
northern willowherb
M
17
Equisetum arvense
common horsetail
R/M/P
1,2,13,17,24
Erigeron flagellaris
creeping fleabane
Sm/G
8,10,11,26
Erigeron glabellus
smooth fleabane
G
27
Erigonum flavum
yellow umbrella-plant
G
27
Festuca idahoensis
bluebunch fescue
G
27
Festuca scabrella
rough fescue
Sm / G / Gm / Sw / A
8,10,15,16,18
Fragaria virginiana
wild strawberry
M/A/Sm/Sw/P/G
3,6,7,9,12,18,20,21,22,24
Gaillardia aristata
gaillardia
Sm/G U
8,27
Galium boreale
northern bedstraw
M / Sm / Sw / A / P / G
3,5,6,7,8,9,10,11,16,18,20,21,22,24,25,26,27,28,29
Gaura coccinea
scarlet butterflyweed
Sm
10,29
Geranium richardsonii
wild white geranium
A/P
22,23,24
Geranium viscosissimum
sticky purple geranium
Sm/Gm
5,14,15,25,28,29
Geum aleppicum
yellow avens
R/M/P/A U
1,2,7,13,17,22,23
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Geum triflorum
three-flowered evens
Sm/Sw/G/Gm/A/P
5,12,15,20,24
Habenaria hyperborea
nor. green bog orchid
G M
27
Hackelia floribunda
large-flowered stickseed
Sm
29
Hackelia jessicae
Jessica’s stickseed
Sm/A
14,23
Hedysarum alpinum
alpine hedysarum
Sm / M / G / Gm / Sw / A
5,8,9,11,12,15,16,17,18,20,25,28
Heracleum lanatum
cow parsnip
Sm/A/P
5,6,7,13,14,20,23,24
Hipperis vulgaris
common mare’s tail
R / stream
1
Juncus balticus
wire rush
M / Sm / P
2,3,5,13,17
Juniperus horizontalis
creeping juniper
Sm/G
8,10,11
Koeleria macrantha
June grass
Sm/G
8,10,11,16,26,27
Lathyrus ochroleucus
cream-colored vetchling
A / P / Sw
6,7,20,21,22,23
Lilium philadelphicum
western wood lily
Sw
21
Lithospermum incisum
narrow-leaved puccoon
Sm
8
Lithospermum ruderale
wooly gromwell
Sm/A/G
9,11,16,20,25,27,28
Lonicera dioica
twining honeysuckle
A/P
6,7
Lonicera involucrata
bracted honeysuckle
A/P
6,7
Mentha arvensis
wild mint
R/M/P
1.2,17,24
Menyanthes trifoliata
buck bean
R/M
1,2
Mnium sp.
R/M
1.2
Monarda fistulosa
wild bergamont
Sm
9,25,28
Nasturtium officinale
water cress
P/R
13
Osmorhiza depauperata
spreading sweet cicely
A
23
Oxytropis splendens
showy locoweed
Sm
8
Phleum pratense
timothy
M / Sm / P / Gm
3,4,9,13,15,17
Phlox hoodii
moss phlox
G
26
Picea glauca
white spruce
A / P / Sw
6,7,13,21,23,24
Poa palustrus
fowl bluegrass
M/P
2,13,17
Poa pratensis
Kentucky bluegrass
M/Sw/Sm/A/P/G/Gm/R
1 ,2,3,5,6,7,8,9,1 1 ,12-1 8,20,21 ,22,23,2.
Populus balsamifera
balsam poplar
Sm/A/P/Sw
5,6,7,13,24
Populus tremuloides
aspen
A / P / Sw
6,7,13,20,21,22,23
Potentilla hippiana
wooly cinquefoil
G
11
Potentilla anserina
silverweed
R/M
1,2,3,17
Potentilla fruticosa
shrubby cinquefoil
M/Sm/Sw/G
2,3,5,8,9,10,1 1,12,18,26,27,28
Potentilla gracilis
graceful cinquefoil
Gm/Sm
15,25,28
Prunus Virginians
choke cherry
Sm
8,9,10,28
Pyrola asarifolia
com. pink wintergreen
A
6,22,23
Ranunculus acris
tall buttercup
M/P/R
3,13,17
Ribes oxyacanthoides
northern gooseberry
M/Sm/A/P/Sw
2,5,6,7,9,13,14,20,21,22,23,24,25,28
Rosa acicularis
prickly rose
Sm / A / P / G / Gm / Sw
5,6,7,9,10,12,15,18,20,21,22,23,24,25,
Rubus idaeus
wild red raspberry
A / P / Sw
6,7,21,22,23,24
Salix bebbiana
beaked willow
M/ Sw/Sm/P
2,5,13,14,18,21
Salix spp.
willow
R/P/G/M
1,6,12,17,24
Scutellaria galericulata
marsh skullcap
P/R
13
Senecio canus
prairie groundsel
M / Sm / G
3,8,10,27
Senecio sp.
ragwort / groundsel
M
2
Senecio vulgaris
common groundsel
P/R/M
13,17
Sheperdia canadensis
Canada buffalo berry
Sm / P / Sw / G
5,7,8,13,18,27,28
Sisyrinchium montanum
common blue-eyed grass
Sm / G / Gm
8,11,12,15,16,25
Smiliacina stellata
Solomon’s-seal
Sm / A / P / G / Sw
5,6,7,9,10,12,21,22,23,26,27,28
Solidago missouriensis
low goldenrod
G
27
Solidago spp.
goldenrod
G
12
Spiraea betulifolia
white meadowsweet
A/P
6,7
Stipa Columbiana
Columbia needle grass
G/Sw
27,29
Stipa comata
needle-and-thread
G
27
Stipa viridula
green needle grass
Sm/G
10,12,16
Symphoricarpos albus
snowberry
Sm/Sw/A/P
5,6,7,9,10,14,18,20,21,22,23,25,28,29
Taraxacum officinale
common dandelion
R/M/A/Sm/P/Sw
1,3,6,9,13,14,17,20,21,22,23,24
Thalictrum venulosum
veiny meadow rue
M / Sm / A / G / Sw
3,5,6,9,12,14,18,20,28
Thermopsis rhombofolia
golden bean
Sm / G / Gm / M
8,10,11,12,15,16,17,27,28,29
Thiaspi arvense
stinkweed
Sm
14
Trifolium pratense
red clover
G
4,27
Trifolium repens
white clover
P/G/M
13,17,26
Urtica dioica
common nettle
A/P/M
6,7,13,14,17,22,23,24
Veronica americana
American brooklime
P/R-M U
13,17
Vicea americana
wild vetch
M/Sm/AVG/Sw
2,3,5,6,8,10,11,12,18,20,21,22,23
Viola adunca
early blue violet
Sm
5
Viola canadensis
western Canada violet
M/A/P/Sw
3,6,21,22,23,24
Viola nephrophylia
bog violet
R/M
1.2
Zigadenus elegans
white camas
M / Sm / G / Sw
2,3,8,11,12,16,18,21,27
Zizia aptera
heart-leafed Alexander
M / Sw / Sm / Gm
3,5,15,18,21
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Appendix 2
Calgary Field Naturalist’s Society Bird Record Project
Big Hill Springs Provincial Park - Bird sightings, 1987 to date
The following bird species were observed in or near the Park by members of the CFNS
and recorded in the Bird Record Project database or in members’ personal notes.
Boldface entrys indicate species confirmed or evidently breeding in the Park. Asterisks
(*) indicate endangered species.
Alder Flycatcher
American Coot
American Crow
American Dipper
American Goldfinch
American Kestrel
American Redstart
American Robin
American Tree Sparrow
American Widgeon
Bald Eagle
Bank Swallow
Barn Swallow
Barrow’s Goldeneye
Black Tern
Black-billed Magpie
Black-capped Chickadee
Blackpoll Warbler
Blue Jay
Blue-winged Teal
Bohemian Waxwing
Boreal Chickadee
Boreal Owl
Brewer’s Blackbird
Broad-winged Hawk
Brown Creeper
Brown-headed Cowbird
Canada Goose
Cape May Warbler
Cedar Waxwing
Chipping Sparrow
Cinnamon Teal
Clay-coloured Sparrow
Cliff Swallow
Common Raven
Common Redpoll
Common Snipe
Common Yellowthroat
Cooper’s Hawk
Cordilleran Flycatcher
Dark-eyed Junco
Downy Woodpecker
Eastern Kingbird
Eastern Phoebe
European Starling
Evening Grosbeak
Gad wall
Golden Eagle
Golden-crowned Kinglet
Gray Catbird
Great Blue Heron
Great Horned Owl
Greater Yellowlegs
Green- winged Teal
Hairy Woodpecker
Hermit Thrush
Hoary Redpoll
Hooded Merganser
House Sparrow
House Wren
Kildeer
Least Flycatcher
LeConte’s Sparrow
Lesser Scaup
Lesser Yellowlegs
Lincoln’s Sparrow
Loggerhead Shrike
Long-billed Curlew
MacGillivray’s Warbler
Mallard
Merlin
Mountain Bluebird
Mountain Chickadee
Mourning Warbler
Northern Flicker
Northern Goshawk
Northern Harrier
Northern Oriole
Northern Pigmy Owl
Northern Pintail
Northern Rough-winged !
Northern Shoveler
Northern Shrike
Olive-sided Flycatcher
Orange-crowned Warbler
Peregrine Falcon *
Pied-billed Grebe
Pileated Woodpecker
Pine Grosbeak
Pine Siskin
Piping Plover *
Prairie Falcon
Red Crossbill
Red-breasted Grosbeak
Red-breasted Nuthatch
Red-eyed Vireo
Red-naped Sapsucker
Red-necked Grebe
Red-Tailed Hawk
Red- winged Blackbird
Ring-necked Duck
Rock Dove
Rough-legged Hawk
Ruby-crowned Kinglet
Ruffed Grouse
Savannah Sparrow
Say’s Phoebe
Sharp-shinned Hawk
Sharp-tailed Grouse
Sharp-tailed Sparrow
Song Sparrow
Sora
Spotted Sandpiper
Swainson’s Hawk
Swainson’s Thrush
Tennessee Warbler
Tree Swallow
Vesper Sparrow
Warbling Vireo
Western Meadowlark
Western Tanager
Western Wood-pewee
White-crowned Sparrow
White-throated Sparrow
White- winged crossbill
Willow Flycatcher
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Wilson’s Phalarope
Wilson’s Warbler
Yellow Warbler
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker
Yellow-headed Blackbird
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Mammals sighted 1987 to date:
Insects sighted 1987 to date:
COMMON:
Butterflies:
Coyote
Cabbage White
Meadow Vole
Clouded Sulphur
Mule Deer
Common Alpine
Pocket Gopher
Melissa Blue
Porcupine
Milbert’s Tortoiseshell
Red Squirrel
Mourning Cloak
Richardson’s Ground Squirrel
Painted Lady
Varying Hare (Snowshoe Hare)
Pearly Crescentspot
LESS COMMON:
Prairie Ringlet
Red Admiral
American Badger
Red-disked Alpine
Jumping Mouse
Satyr Anglewing
Long-Tailed Weasel
Tiger Swallowtail
Moose
Western White
Reptiles:
White Admiral
Wood Nymph
Garter Snake
Observations provided by Steven Kassai and the
Others:
Cicada
Hawk Moth
Ichneumon Wasp
Calgary Field Naturalists Society, 1998.
Showy Emerald Moth
Note: CFNS and members’ wildlife sighting
records often have further data including exact
sites, dates, numbers, and special characteristics.
,iUi^i'mi^^m:i ‘ ■■‘f.
•?*'. I
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Appendix 3: BIG HILL SPRINGS PROVINCIAL PARK
Ccosite ”
I Vegetation Physiognomy
1 Vegetation Community Types
A
Anthropogenic
1 Unvegetated, OR sodded grounds vinth planted trees
I Aspen and White spruce / Kentucky bluegrass
Upper alluvial far
Cl
Colluvial
1 Grasslands (including native remnants)
I Northern wheat grass - Bluebunch fescue;
1 Sand grass - Northern wheat grass - June grass
Upper south-facir
and sandstone bee
C2.1
1 Mixed shrubs: Snowberry dominant;
1 Some aspen encroachment at edges
1 Snowberry - Rose - Cinquefoil / Kentucky bluegrass-
1 Brome - Northern wheat grass
Mid-to-lower coul
weathered sandstc
C2.2
1 Mixed shrubs: Silverberry dominant
I Silverbeny - Choke cherry - Rose - Cinqeufoil / Sedge-
1 Kentucky bluegrass
Mid-to-lower coul
weathered sandsto
C2.3
1 Mixed shrubs: Rose dominant
1 Rose- Silverbeny -Buffalobeny/ Kentucky bluegrass
Lower coulee wall
weathered sandsto
C3
1 Aspen woodland
I Aspen / Rose - Cow parsnip
North-facing, mids
blanket over inclin
C4
Balsam poplar woodland
1 Balsam Poplar - White Spruce / Gooseberry
Lower north-facinj
sandstone bedrock
C5
White spruce-dominated woodland
White spruce - Balsam poplar - Aspen / Hairy wild rye
North-feeing coule
bedrock and till. [ (
CXI
Colluvial-Rock Residuum
Unvegetated, to sparse grass and scattered shrubs
Snowberry - Rose / Kentucky bluegrass - Northern
wheat grass
Upper coulee walls
colluvium and resic
FI 1
Fluvial
Sedges with scattered willow-dominated shrub groves I
Willow / Sedge
Creek channels and
F2 1
Willow-dominated shrubland I
Willow - Cinquefoi 1 - Aspen / Kentucky bluegrass -
Rush
Lower alluvial fan j
F3 1
Open wet meadow I
scattered Cinquefoil / Buttercup / Rush - Timothy
Alluvial fan periphe
F4 I
Modified (reclaimed) grassland with scattered I
transplanted aspen and spruce |
Brome - Timothy
Upper alluvial fan. |
F5 1
Moist riparian meadow and woodland I
Balsam poplar - White spnice-Aspen / Cow parsnip -
Willow - Horsetail / Fowl bluegrass - Sedge
Floodplain and bank
undulating / tenacei
F6 1
Open moist poplar forest with shrubs and grasses I
scattered Aspen - Balsam poplar / Snowberry - Willow
/ Cow parsnip / Brome - Kentucky bluegrass
Fluvial terrace seque
tufa deposits in lowe
FLl 1
Fluvio-Lacustrine 1
Wet meadow 1
scattered Cinquefoil / Buttercup / Rush - Timothy
Big Hill Creek coule
GFl 1
Glacio-Fluvial |
Grasslands and tame pastures I
Oat grass - Kentucky bluegrass;
Kentucky bluegrass - Rough fescue;
Kentucky bluegrass - Brome - Timothy
Glacio-fluvial tenao
coulee, mainly to the
Fluvial (or GF) venee
Ml I
Morainal I
Willow-dominated shrubland I
scattered White spruce / Willow - Rose - Snowbeny /
Hairy wild rye - Kentucky bluegrass - Rough fescue
Inclined, undulating.
Big Hill Springs coul
M2 1
Aspen woodland I
Aspen / Rose - Snowberry
1
Upper north-facing rii
blanket. [ Mbi-uV / R
park ecological land classification
Geomorphology
(with unit codes ]
Slope (%)
Soil
Subgroups
' Textures
Drain-
age
Class
Comments
r alluvial fan. Coarse gravels. [ Ff-i ]
0-2.5
N/A
N/A
N/A
Remaining visitor facilities include
paved road, gravel parking lot, toilet-
garbage and picnic sites
south-facing coulee wall. Colluvial veneers over till
andstone bedrock. [ Cv / M, Ri-s ]
10-100
Calcareous Black,
Orthic Regosol
gravelly-
cobbly
SiL,CL,SiC,L,
LS
4
Sites 12b, 26, 27
o-lower coulee wall; colluvial blanket over inclined
ered sandstone. [ Cv-M / Ri ]
16-30
Calcareous and
Orthic Black; and
Calcareous Dark
Brown
SiL,SiCL,L
3-4
Sites 5, 25, 29
Evidence of soil creep
o-lower coulee wall; colluvial blanket over inclined
ered sandstone. ( Cv-M / Ri-s ]
31-70
Orthic Regosol,
Rego Dark Brown
rubbly -
gravelly
SC, SiCL,
SiC,C
4
Sites 8,9,10; submesic.
Evidence of soil creep
r coulee wall; colluvial veneers over inclined
ered sandstone. [ Cv-M / Ri ]
31-45
Calcareous Black
SiL,SiCL
3-4
Site 28; submesic
Evidence of soil creep
•facing, tnidslope coulee wall and ledges; colluvial
:tover inclined bedrock. [ Cv-b / Mi, Ri ]
31-45
Orthic and
Calcareous Black
SL,SCI
CL
-,SiC,Si
3^
Sites 6,23
north-facing coulee wall; colluvial veneer over
one bedrock and till. ( Cv / M-Ri ]
31-70
Calcareous Black
gravelh
rubbly
SiCL
/-
4-3
Site 19
feeing coulee wall; colluvial veneer over sandstone
kandtill. [Cv/Ri-s,V]
46-100
Calcareous Black,
Orthic Eutric
Brunisol
rubbly
SiCL,S
L
3^
Site 7
coulee walls; cliffs, sandstone outcrops; rubbly
ium and residuum. [ RXi-sMV ]
46- >100
Orthic Regosols,
non-soils
rubbly :
SCL
SL,
3-4
Area of active weathering, erosion,
creep, and rockfall
channels and floodplains in Big Hill coulee. [ Flo ]
0-2.5
Orthic Humic
Regosol
Si, SiCl
L
4-3
Site 1; trampled streambanks
alluvial fan and streambank levees. [ Ffl-t ]
0-2.5
Gleyed Cumulic
Humic Regosol
SiL, SCL,
SiCL, CL
5
Site 2; tufa fragments in soil profile;
aspen stands on creek levees
al fan periphery; medium-textured over coarse
!nts. [ Ffol-i ]
2-5
Gleyed Cumulic
Regosol
SCL,CSC
5
Site 3; tufa fragments in soil profile;
extensive cattle grazing effects
alluvial fan. ( Ffl-i ]
2-5
Calcareous Black
Gravel!
SL,SC1
y
.,sc
3
Site 4; reclaimed campground; extensive
cattle grazing effects
)lain and banks of Big Hill Springs Creek; dissected,
ting / terraced. [ Fou-tE ]
.5-5
Calcareous Black,
Rego Humic Gleysol,
Orthic Humic
Regosol
SCL,SC
SiCL, SiC,
3-7
Sites 13, 17, 24; drier regimes on knolls
or terraces, moister near creekbanks.
Trampled banks at some sites
1 terrace sequence above Big Hill Springs Creek;
posits in lower ravine. [ Ftl-i ]
.5-15
Rego Black, Orthic
Humic Gleysol
SiL, SiCL
3,5
Sites 11 (reclaimed), 14; includes relict
channel, meander, and point bar in NW
parcel used as pasture. F6 units mapped
adjacently on ELC map reflect different
terrace levels.
11 Creek coulee (off the alluvial fan). [ FLlo ]
0-2.5
Rego Humic Gleysol,
Terric Mesisol
CL, SiC
:l
6-7
Southeast corner of Park adjacent to Big
Hill Creek
•fluvial terrace sequence above Big Hill Springs
mainly to the north; gently undulating to inclined,
(or GF) veneer over till / bedrock. [ GFti ]
0-9
Orthic and
Calcareous Black
L, SiL, SiCL
3-4
Sites 12a, 15, 16
d, undulating, and gullied morainal upland south of
II Springs coulee; above M2. [Mbi-u-mV / R ]
10-30
Calcareous and
Orthic Black
gravelly-
cobbly
SiCL, SiC, C
4
Sites 18,21
lorth-facing rim of Big Hill Springs coulee; morainal
. [ Mbi-uV / R ]
2-15
Calcareous Black
SiCL,SiC,C
4
Sites 20, 22. Some aspen-encroached
grass & shrub sites.
iL,oi,-iooi-'n
.SI,
Map 4
Ecological Land Classification <3P elc units scau
fsf ® » Field Samole Sites ?
Big Hill Springs Provincial Park ™ «o
N’A ofSec.29 Tp.26 Rg.03 WSMer. x ^ tt Fences (not all are shown)
1:2500
200 250 300 metres
^ 1 1
1 1 1 ; 1
00 800 1000 feet
June, 1997 1:5000 Airphotos,
Environmental Service, Calgary.
Ecosite
Vegetation Physiognomy
Vegetation Community Type
Geomorphology
Slope
(%)
Soil Subgroups
Textures
Drainagi
Class
Comments
A
Anthropogemc
Unvegetated, OR sodded grounds
with planted trees.
Aspen and White spruce /Kentucky bluegrass
Upper alluvial fan. Coarse gravels. [Ff-i]
0-2.6
N/A
NA
N/A
Remaining visitor facilities include paved road, gravel
parking lot, toilet, garbage and picnic sites.
Cl
Colluvial
Graaslands (including native remnants).
Northern wheat grass - Bluebunch fescue; Sand grass -
Northern wheat grass - June grass
Upper south-facing coulee wall;
colluvial veneers over till and sandstone bedrock. [Cv/M, Ri-s]
10-100
Calcareous Black,
Orthic Regosol
gravclly-cobbly
SiL,CL,SiC,L.LS
Sites 12b, 26, 27
C2.1
Mixed shrubs; Snowbeny dominant.
Some Aspen encroachment at edges.
Snowbeny - Rose - Cinquefoil /Kentucky bluegrass -
Brome - Northern wheat grass
Mid-to-lower coulee wall;
colluvial blanket over inclined weathered sandstone. [Cv-M/Ri]
16-30
Calcareous and Orthic Black;
and Calcareous Dark Brown
SiL,SiCL,L
3^
Sites 6, 25, 29
Evidence of soil creep.
C2.2
Mixed shrubB: Silverberry dominant.
SUverberry - Choke cherry - Rose -
Cinqpiefoil /Sedge - KentucI^ bluegrass
Mid-to-lower coulee wall;
coUuvial blanket over inclined weathered sandstone. [Cv-M/Ri-s]
31-70
Orthic Regosol,
Rego Dark Brown
rubbly-graveUy
SC,SiCL,SiC,C
4
r
Sites 8, 9, 10; submesic.
Evidence of soil creep.
C2.3
Mixed shrubs; Bose dominant.
Rose - Silverberry - Buffaloberiy /Kentucky bluegrass
Lower coulee wall;
coUuvial veneers over inclined weathered sandstone. [Cv-WRi]
31-45
Calcareous Black
3iL,SiCL
3-4
Site 28; submesic.
Evidence of soil creep.
C3
Aspen woodland.
Aspen /Rose - Cow parsnip
North-facing, midslope coulee wall and ledges;
colluvial blanket over inclined bedrock. [Cv-h^Mi,Ri]
31-45
Orthic and Calcareous Black
SL,SCL,SiC,SiCL
3-4
1 Sites 6, 23
C4
Balaam poplar woodland.
Balsam poplar - White spruce /Gooseberry
Lower north-facing coulee wall;
coUuvial veneer over sandstone bedrock and tiU. [Cv/M-Ri]
31-70
Calcareous Black
graveUy-rubbly
SiCL
4-3
' Site 19
C5
White spruce - dominated woodland.
White spruce - Balsam poplar -
Aspen /Hairy wild rye
North-facing coulee waU;
coUuvial veneer over sandstone bedrock and tiU. [C«Gli-s,V]
46-100
Calcareous Black,
Orthic Eutric Brunisol
rubbly SiCL.SL
3^
Site 7
CXI
Colhivial-Eock Besiditum
Unvegetated, to sparse grass and
scattered shrubs.
Snowbeny - Rose /Kentucky bluegrase -
Northern wheat grass
1 :
' Upper coulee walls; clifis, sandstone outcrops;
1 rubbly colluvium and residuum. [RXi-sMV]
46->100
Orthic Regosols, non-soils
rubbly SL.SCL
3-4
Area of active weathering,
erosion, creep and rockfaU.
FI
Fhmal
Sedges with scattered Willow -
dominated shrub groves.
Willow /Sedge
Creek channels and floodplains in Big HiU coulee. [Flo]
0-2.6
Orthic Humic Regosol
Si, SiCL
4-3
I Site 1; trampled streambanks.
F2
Willow - dominated Bhrubland.
Willow - Cinquefoil - Aspen /Kentucky bluegrass -
Rush
Lower alluvial fan and streambank levees. [Ffl-t]
0-2.5
1
Gleyed CumuUc Humic Regosol
SiL.SCL.SiCL.CL
5
Site 2; tufa fragments in soil profile;
aspen stands on creek levees.
F3
Open wet meadow.
Scattered Cinquefoil /Buttercup /Rush - Timothy
Alluvial fan periphery; medium-textured over coarse fragments. [Ffol-i]
2-5
Gleyed CumuUc Regosol
SCL,CSC
6
Site 3; tufa fragments in soil profile;
extensive cattle grazing efiects.
F4
Modified (reclaiined) grassland with scattered
transplanted Aspen and Spruce.
Brome - Timothy
Upper alluvial fan. [Ffl-i]
2-5
Calcareous Black
gravelly
SL,SCL,SC
3
Site 4; reclaimed campground;
extensive cattle grazing efiects.
P5
Moist riparian meadow and woodland.
Balsam Poplar - White spruce - Aspen /Cow parsnip -
Willow - Horsetail/Powl bluegrass - Sedge
Floodplain and banks of Big HiU Springs Creek;
dissected, undulating /terraced. [Fou-tK] ^1],*
.6-6
Calcareous Black, Rego Humic
Gleysol, Orthic Humic Regosol
SCL,SC.SiCL,SiC
3-7
Sites 13, 17, 24; drier regimes on knolls or terraces,
moister near creekbanks. Trampled banks at some sites.
F6
Open moist Poplar forest with
shrubs and grasses.
Scattered Aspen - Balsam poplar /Snowberry -
Willow /Cow parsnip /Brome - Kentucky bluegrass
Fluvial terrace sequence above Big Hill Springs Creek;
tufa deposits in lower ravine. [Ftl-i]
.6-16
Rego Black,
Orthic Humic Gleysol
SiL,SiCL
3-6
Sites U(reclaimed), 14; includes reUct channel, meander and
point bar in NW parcel used as pasture, F6 units mapped
adjacently on ELC map reflect different terrace levels.
m
Flnvio-lacastrme
Wet meadow.
Scattered Cinquefoil /Buttercup /Bush - Timothy
Big Hill Creek coulee (off the alluvial fan). [FLlo]
0-2.6
Rego Humic Gleysol,
Terric Mesisol
CL,SiCL
6-7
Southeast comer of Park adj&ceni
to Big Hill Creek.
GFl
Claao-nurial
Grasslands and pastures.
Oat grass - Kentucl^ bluegrass; Kentucky bluegrass -
Bough fescue; Kentucky bluegrass - Brome - Timothy
Glacio-fluvial terrace sequence above Big Hill Springs coulee, mainly to the north;
gently undulating to inclined. Fluvial (or GF) veneer over till /bedrock. [GFtiJ
0-9
Orthic and Calcareous Black
L,SiL,SiCL
3-4
Sites 12a. 15, 16
Ml
Willow - dominated sbrubland.
Scattered White spruce /Willow - Rose - Snowberry /
Hairy wild rye - Kentucky bluegrass - Rough fescue
Inclined, undulating and gullied morainal upland south of Big Hill Springs coulee;
above M2. [Mbi-u-mV/R]
10-30
Calcareous and Orthic Black
gravelly-cobbly
SiCL,SiC,C
4
Sites 18, 21
m
Aapen woodland.
Aspen /Rose ~ Snowbeny
upper north-facing rim of Big HiU Springs coulee;
morainal blanket. [Mbi-uV/B]
2-16
Calcareous Black
SiCL,SiC,C
4
Sites 20, 22. Some aspen-encroached
grass and shrub sites.
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